Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT is looking all lush green in the CAPS United camp, with their rare Castle Lager Premier Soccer League victory over Highlanders at Barbourfields ensuring they open a four-point cushion atop the log standings.
Both CAPS United and their coach Takesure Chiragwi have an unenviable record against Bosso at their Barbourfields fortress.
Their 2-1 win over Highlanders boosted the confidence levels in CAPS United, who are enjoying easily their best start to a season in a decade.
But for all their buoyancy, Chiragwi insists that his CAPS United have never looked beyond their next fixture as they face a decisive phase against tricky opponents in their next six games.
The Green Machine have shown grit and glamour in the first nine games of the season after losing just once.
CAPS United are also unbeaten at their home, Rufaro.
They have 22 points to their name, four above second-placed Hardrock.
While CAPS United were ending an 11-year wait to beat Bosso at Barbourfields again, it was Chiragwi’s first victory over the Bulawayo giants as a coach.
Makepekepe, who last won a Premiership title in 2016 under Lloyd Chitembwe, host Bulawayo Chiefs at Rufaro on Saturday.
Chiefs have put on decent shows since their return to the elite league this season.
For Chiragwi, it is not just about the clash against Chiefs as CAPS have more tricky assignments beyond Saturday’s game.
They will fly straight into the famous Harare derby showdown with bitter city rivals Dynamos who are so far unbeaten.
Then clashes against MWOS, former champions Simba Bhora, FC Platinum and reigning champions Scottland, in that order, will be Chiragwi’s roll call. Perhaps the good thing is that four of those six games will be played at Rufaro, where they are unbeaten this season.
“We don’t look at who we are facing after the game we haven’t even played,” said Chiragwi.
“As a team, we focus only on the next game. The match we are preparing for right now is the game against Bulawayo Chiefs.
“It’s a whole tricky game against a team that we know can beat anyone any day.
“We will not underestimate the strength of any opponent that we will face in this marathon. “That’s why we always try to play well, to the best of our abilities, against any team no matter their mirror stature. This is the elite league where elite competition comes into play.
“The league has proven to be very competitive this season. Clubs went out of their way, investing in per-sonnel and resources.
“That has made every second in the field very hard for everyone.” The CAPS United gaffer, who led Ngezi Platinum Stars to Premiership championship glory in 2023, said there will not be any special plan for the coming phase.
“What we have tried to do as CAPS United is play the game as well as we can, every minute of it,” he added. “We have a good squad, which is versatile and always ready to compete.
“While we are leading the log standings, it’s not something of a good reason to give us pressure.
“We are never under any pressure, anyhow. We are taking each game as it comes. We concentrate on pre-paring for the next match only.
“The moment we start looking at a game that is coming next week, then we will lose the plot. It’s as simple as that.
“The derby against Dynamos, Scottland, matches against FC Platinum, Simba Bhora, MWOS and all the other teams were always going to come just like we played another giant Highlanders last weekend.
“We cannot run away from playing against them because we are in the same competition. But like what I always say, every game is the same, every team is the same. Everyone in the league is there to compete.
“This is what I am always saying. For me, the next game is the most important one not the next after the next.”
Chiragwi has consistently been showing variation in his tactics, and to good effect too especially with the depth he has in his fold.
“We have made sure that we have kept the team intact with some players, who we know are key in this campaign being kept fresh,” he said.
“Every player in the team is important. We have both experience and determined youths in our ranks.
“We believe some rotation here and there, some tickle and tinkering here and there will help the club to stay focused and fresh.
“The marathon is long. There is still a lot of football still to be played this year.”
On facing Bulawayo Chiefs on Saturday, Chiragwi said:
“Yes, it’s a tricky game as I have said but we will give it our all as we have always done in other games.
“Well, if you remember, we played FC Hunters at Rufaro, and we were made to sweat for the point in that 1-1 draw.
“That shows you how competitive every team is in this league.” CAPS United are still missing Davison Marowa due to injury while they are praying their talismanic stand-in captain Richard Hachiro will be certified fit to play on Saturday.
Let us not forget that the same situation that CAPS United finds itself in, is similar to where MWOS was last season. It appears people are talking too early.