Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United have started shedding off some players deemed excess baggage to create space for the incoming new signings as they bid to breathe life into their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League faltering season.
The 2016 champions have sent Cameroon striker Emmanuel Joseph and versatile Namibian Rouen Tshihumba.
Despite boasting a register of top players by local standards, CAPS United have been underwhelming this term, struggling in all aspects of their play and swimming closer to troubled waters. Their poor start to the season, claimed the scalp of coach Lloyd Chitembwe and his backroom staff with former Zambian international Ian Bakala taking over. Bakala has given them some flicker of hope, not least after he picked his first win, when squeezing a 1-0 victory at Manica Diamonds a fortnight ago.
And as the mid-season transfer window is just taking shape, Bakala has decided to release Joseph and Tshihumba.
The duo has hardly made an impact at CAPS United.
Defender Tapiwa Matongo is also in the same firing line as Bakala flexes his muscles.
Makepekepe have since signed highly-rated former Simba Sports Club striker Chris Kope of the DR Congo.
Kope, who turns 35 in August is widely being seen as the answer to CAPS United’s blunt strike-force. While Makepekepe wingers Junior Bunjira and Phineas Bamusi have done relatively well so far, the centre-forwards have been missing with only Jayden Bakari having scored once.
Nyasha Chintuli and Joseph have had significant game-time under both Chitembwe and Bakala but neither has been able to find the back of the net.
And Kope is expected to step up to the plate and deliver the goods for the Harare giants. With Matongo departing, Makepekepe have already secured a replacement in 27-year-old Zambian Chitosi Chinga.
But Bakala is not discussing anything to do with transfers as yet with all his focus fixed on reviving the CAPS United ship.
The Manica Diamonds victory hang-over has since died down and Bakala is demanding even more concentration from his charges when they face Chicken Inn at Rufaro tomorrow. The one-week international break, Bakala believes, has helped them to recharge their batteries.
“The players should know that we beat Manica Diamonds last week not this week and they have to concentrate on the job at hand.
“They have to change their attitude from the last game because this is a new and different game.
“You know, we are always telling them to focus on the job at hand. They are now looking very much better than they were in terms of fitness,” said Bakala.
“I am very happy with their mentality. The approach in the match against Chicken Inn should be different. We have one of our key players on suspension but the one who is going to be deployed should be up to the task.
“We should improve in each and every game looking at where we are. I think it all boils down to how the players apply themselves in the field of play.”
Although Chicken Inn, just like CAPS United are struggling, Bakala knows the Gamecocks can never be underrated.
“We are working very hard at training and if they implement what we are imparting to them, then I believe we won’t have any problems.
“But looking at Chicken Inn, I think these are tough games. I think it will be an exciting game given that both teams are currently struggling but you can’t doubt the quality in either team.
“We certainly need a result, that is what is important, getting into the match. The players are fully aware of this.”
Chicken Inn had a nightmarish experience the last time they played on that turf when their match against Scottland was abandoned last month. Their players physically confronted the referee after Scottland were awarded a penalty late in the game for a handball offence. They will have to defend their culpability for fans revolt before a PSL Disciplinary Committee on June 26 but all indicators are pointing at heavy fines and a forfeiture of that match on a 3-0 defeat.
But for now, they will forget everything about it as they face a Green Machine side seeking to pick momentum.
Online Reporter