Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TIMES could be shifting again in the domestic Premiership, with the giants looking poised to reclaim their place after a solid start that saw CAPS United as the only team with a perfect record after the first two games.
Makepekepe recorded their second win in as many matches when they edged Herentals 1-0 at Rufaro on Saturday.
Then, 24 hours later, fellow giants Dynamos and Highlanders were involved in a pulsating clash that ended in a deserved draw, but with four goals scored before a near capacity crowd at the same venue.
But it is CAPS United who should be walking with a spring in their step after bagging maximum of six points from the opening two rounds of play. The Green Machine enjoy a two-point cushion ahead of the trip to Triangle tomorrow for the midweek games.
The promising start has had the Green Machine family purring again, looking to turn back the hands of time to 2016 when they won their last league title.
But Makepekepe coach Takesure Chiragwi, who was appointed in the off-season, believes they should not start counting their eggs yet.
“It’s still in the early stages of the season. We can’t read much into these results. It’s still a long marathon,” he said after the match.
Chiragwi was extolled by the CAPS United fans through song and dance. The Green Machine supporters this season have so much confidence in their team after the investments poured into the side by club owner Farai Jere.
Chiragwi is also excited by the positive energy from the terraces, which has helped his players grow in confidence. Hopefully, the bliss will be able to extend long into the marathon.
“I think it’s a sweet victory for us, second game in a row,” the gaffer emphasised.
“That is important to give confidence to the players and ourselves the coaches and also to our fans who are always coming in numbers to every game.
“I think they also deserve this great performance and this great win because the charges are now expensive. So, when they pay their hard-earned cash, they deserve something better,” said Chiragwi.
Striker Obriel Chirinda scored the solitary goal against Herentals, who in the past have always presented themselves as difficult opponents against the five-time Zimbabwean league champions.
But Chiragwi was a bit apprehensive about his team’s defence.
“Definitely they did well but there are still a lot of grey areas that we need to work on so that in a different game, on a different day, we do not concede.
“The most important thing is we didn’t concede but we have to make sure that those small details are corrected at training,” said Chiragwi.
Dynamos and Highlanders also concurred there was much that still needed to be worked on after their clash at Rufaro on Sunday which ended 2-2.
The Battle of Zimbabwe came a bit too early but the two giants did their best to deliver an exciting duel, with DeMbare twice coming from behind to cancel out the goals from Never Rauzhi and Mongameli Tshuma.
Second-half substitute Tellmore Pio brought DeMbare level just seconds after he was introduced at the restart before defender Collin Mujuru volleyed home the second to settle for the share of the spoils moments later.
They were glimpses from both camps with Bosso’s Tshuma a standout performer. Prince Dube and skipper Rainsome Pavari also had a fine game while Mavunga presented the DeMbare supporters with some talking points following his introduction in the second half.
DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe was candid in his post-match reaction. He feels his team still needs more work.
“We are not yet there,” he said.
“I think we have to first focus on making sure that we have a team. Now we understand each other, the philosophy and everything.
“Then as for the targets, you know, every coach wants to win trophies, even in the league. But at times, you have to make sure that you have a stable team and consistency as well.
“And make sure you work on those things. And going forward, now you can tell, I want to win the league, I want to win the Cups. But now we are still trying to adjust on some few combinations.
“Like you see, we also have (Hastings) Chapusha who wasn’t in We are still trying his papers, we still have some few guys who are not in. So, at times we will try and see how best we have our best squad,” said Mangombe.
DeMbare now have four points to their name, having kicked off the campaign with a 2-1 away win at TelOne last week. They face bogey side Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields in their next assignment this Thursday.
“Bulawayo Chiefs are no pushovers. And you know, when we used to play Bulawayo Chiefs in the yesteryears, it wasn’t an easy game,” Mangombe, who returned to the Glamour Boys during the pre-season, said.
Bosso are still looking for their first win under new coach Benjani Mwaruwari. They have two points to their name, having drawn with Bulawayo Chiefs in the first game.
As they prepare to host MWOS at Barbourfields tomorrow, Mwaruwari feels the breakthrough should come as soon as possible to deflate the pressure.
“It’s going to take time unfortunately for coaches, we don’t have time, we need to win games. So far, I’ve played two points, which is a bad record. I know, but hopefully on Wednesday we’ll get some points,” said Mwaruwari.
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: FC Hunters v FC Platinum (Rufaro), Triangle v CAPS United (Gibbo), Hardrock v Chicken Inn (Chahwanda), Ngezi Platinum Stars v ZPC Kariba (Baobab), TelOne v Simba Bhora (Ascot), Highlanders v MWOS (Barbourfields)
Thursday: Bulawayo Chiefs v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Manica Diamonds v Scottland (Gibbo), Herentals College v Agama (Rufaro)
