Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
CAPS United fans are divided over club president Farai Jere, who believes they still have a chance to win the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title this season despite being second from bottom after six weeks.
In an address on the club’s platform on Wednesday, Jere said he addressed both the players and technical department reassuring them of his support despite the poor results.
Jere declared that coach Lloyd Chitembwe will remain in the job even though a section of the club’s supporters staged a demonstration, demanding his departure a fortnight ago following a home defeat to Ngezi Platinum.
CAPS United lost the next match, away to Highlanders where they conceded a first minute goal and missed a number of good chances at Barbourfields last Sunday.
Jere said they are, instead, looking for a coach to add to Chitembwe’s technical department.
The former PSL chairman says he is not worried by the defeats against Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum because CAPS United have historically struggled against those teams, including the title winning sides of 2004, 2005 and 2015.
Jere instead blames a hostile fixture programme for the current position on Premiership log standings, highlighting that they will soon start enjoying a good run and compete for the title.
On Sunday, CAPS United will host Bikita Minerals at Rufaro in a match they are expected to win comfortably while the next five matches will be against Yadah, FC Platinum, ZPC Kariba, Herentals and Dynamos.
CAPS United fans took to the social media platforms to express their feelings following Jere’s position on the future of the club.
Top of the responses was club legend, Alois Bunjira who reminded Jere that the all-conquering CAPS United of 1996 won their league match against Highlanders at Barbourfields as did the 1997 team.
“The 1996 and 1997 teams …we won our games at Barbourfields Stadium, Sir. In 1996, we actually sealed the league championship at Barbourfields stadium in the penultimate match with a 2-1-win courtesy of Morgan Nkhatazo’s first half goal and a Blessing Makunike flashing header for the winner. In the 1997 season, we again beat them 2-1, with Makunike and Alois Bunjira scoring the 2 goals.
“Indeed, the later teams, the 2004-5 and preceding teams struggled to win at BF. But I agree with the president. The team is playing very well. The build ups are great. The team is creating chances .I think it’s just a matter of time before the results start coming .Yes the fixture has also not been friendly to CAPS United, who I think didn’t have the greatest of preseason preparations,” said Bunjira.
One supporter felt Jere was just being diplomatic.
“Jere is very diplomatic can’t you hear a new coach was interviewed and is coming in two weeks’ time Chitembwe contract is running out and obvious it will be said they didn’t agree on something, and he is moving out.”
Another was clearly not impressed by Jere’s comments and believes CAPS United supporters will soon boycott matches.
“Now it’s clear why we have been losing…had always doubted that Lodza had become so terrible overnight…nyararai president muchazoshaiwa vanhu kuma stadium becoz of such reckless statements.”
Another added:
“So Jere is content with mediocre performance. Apa ndopane problem yedu hombe the owner doesn’t even aspire to contend for the league honours . . . Lack of ambition to win the league.”
A disgruntled follower feels Jere is not doing enough to motivate stakeholders.
“The problem is that people believe they hold onto such big brands they cannot maintain therefore resort to inferior technical expertise for guidance as a cost cutting measure at the expense of winning matches.
“Hon Jere your excuses no matter explained in whatever language will not motivate the likes of us key stakeholders in form of supporters who are seeing no reason to attend matches we really know that our team Kepekepe is now a punch bag at all times whether home or away hey.”
Despite Jere’s clear vision, another fan feels he wants to sink CAPS United
“This man has no vision at all for CAPS United. He is talking as if CAPS United have lost just one game so far.
“CAPS United are languishing 2nd from bottom and the same coach you love so much who has been in charge for the recent 3 seasons and in 2 of those 3 seasons CAPS United was fighting relegation.”
However, another supporter endorsed Jere’s statement saying his positivity will help CAPS United turn around their fortunes.
“Well said Honourable, let’s support our team and move forward looking at where we are coming from the previous seasons
“Easy pickings. The more they lose the less noise about the financial reality of the club.
“I like the positivity president, let’s hope it quickly translates to results, otherwise it becomes difficult to explain to our kids why we rally behind the Green Mean Machine.”
