adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe is happy with the material at his disposal amid reports that he could add defender Dennis Dauda and playmaker Raphael Manuvire next season. Chitembwe has been impressive since returning to the team where he won three league titles as a player and his Green Machine have only lost once, against ZPC Kariba, in all competitions under the gaffer’s guidance.
CAPS United have been transformed, in the past few weeks, into the most impressive team in the Premiership and they showed their quality by holding FC Platinum to a 1-1 draw at Mandava despite playing a man short for the better part of the game.
Yesterday, Chitembwe addressed his weekly media conference flanked by his players Stephen Makatuka, who has been outstanding all season in defence, and Blessing Nyamuzihwa. “We are obviously looking forward to just bringing in one or two players who have probably something extra, something special, to give to the team but generally we are very happy with the squad that we have,” said Chitembwe.
“It is not really about departments but what the player can bring into the team.
“We have a very good group of talented players and I told them they are probably one of the best generations of players that I have ever worked with so there is no need to have a massive change to the team considering the amount of work that they have done ever since I joined CAPS United.”
CAPS United are believed to have agreed terms with Dauda and playmaker Manuvire, while plans to bring in free-scoring Knox Mutizwa appear to have collapsed.
Reports from Bulawayo said the diminutive forward signed a new one-year deal to stay at Highlanders. Chitembwe says his main task next season will be to improve his team. “Obviously I would want to finish this season on a very high note and, as far as next season is concerned, I am sure we are all looking forward to the new challenge and obviously as a coach you have a responsibility to do,” said Chitembwe.
“Even the best teams in the world are always improved and, personally, I feel the squad that we have is a very good squad but it is our responsibility to try and improve the team that we already have. “We can’t wait to start next season and hopefully the targets that we have earmarked to be part of us will obviously bring something to the team.
“We are happy with what we have achieved in terms of trying to improve the team.”
CAPS United will play their last league game against relegated WhaWha at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow and say goodbye to the fans who have stuck with them, in good and bad times, during a season that was rocked by turbulence before businessman Farai Jere brought the stability they enjoy today.
It should be a party atmosphere with the Harare-based fans of the team getting the chance to wish their men all the best, ahead of their NetOne Easycall semi-final showdown against league champions Chicken Inn, at Barbourfields next Saturday.
Makatuka will miss his first league game of the season tomorrow as he is suspended after he was shown a red card in the last league match against FC Platinum at Mandava. He has featured in 29 league matches.
“Sometimes in football you have to accept things you don’t have control over. Obviously, I would have wanted to play all the games but unfortunately that’s football,” said Makatuka. “It was a good season and this is my best season so far.
“This is the only game (WhaWha) that I will miss this season,” said Makatuka. Meanwhile, club board member, Alois Bunjira, said their corporate dinner in the capital tonight is likely to be a huge success story.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Chapungu v How Mine (Ascot), Tsholotsho v Harare City (White City), CAPS United v WhaWha (National Sports Stadium), Flame Lily v Chicken Inn (Larfarge), Dongo Sawmill v FC Platinum (Vengere), Buffaloes v Dynamos (Sakubva).
Sunday: Hwange v Triangle (Colliery) Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields).
Online Reporter