CAPS Utd snatch Takunda Benhura

Tadious Manyepo in LILONGWE, Malawi

CAPS United have cancelled their scheduled friendly tie against UD Songo in Mozambique and will head straight home after concluding their bonding and team-building pre-season tour in Malawi.

While the squad wound up their tour of Malawi, club president Farai Jere, who has been unrelenting in his off-season acquisition, revealed the signing of 2023 Premiership Golden Boot award winner Takunda Benhura yesterday.

Benhura is the latest player to be lured to the capital by CAPS United with the striker arriving from Ngezi Platinum Stars, with whom he won the championship in 2023.

Ex-Ngezi coach Takesure Chiragwi, now in charge of CAPS United, has spent the past fortnight with his squad in Malawi where they also played three friendly matches against that country’s top-flight teams Silver Strikers and MAFCO.

They beat Silver Strikers twice, 1-0 and 3-0 before posting a goalless draw against MAFCO.

Makepekepe were scheduled to wrap it all up by facing UD Songo in Tete, Mozambique on their way back this weekend.

But the game has since been cancelled due to logistical issues and genuine concerns that the encounter was to be played on astro turf, which would have put the players at risk of injuries just a week before the 2026 Premier Soccer League season kicks-off.

Chiragwi said he was happy with how the Malawi tour went. “Let me say the pre-season in Malawi was the right tonic we needed to put together a team that we think would be able to compete this coming season,” said Chiragwi.

“We needed to create the right environment in the camp. We have players coming from different teams and backgrounds.

“Not that there was any discord of some sort, but football has to have such a cool environment for teams to thrive in the field of play.

“As a coach I am very happy to see the team with so much cohesion outside the pitch just like they are inside it. “It has been a significantly productive two weeks of pre-season preparation. I don’t have any complaints, and I would like to salute club president Farai Jere for enabling us to have this trip.”

Makepekepe’s journey was more than just a football trip as it turned out to be a charm offensive for the Green Machine where they met the Zimbabwe Ambassador to Malawi Nancy Saungweme, and Malawi Sports Council Board chairman Jim Kalua.

CAPS United head of delegation Maxwell Mironga saluted the authorities from this country for blessing their trip.

Mironga said: “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to club president Farai Jere and the CAPS United management for affording the team the opportunity to hold our pre-season preparations in Lilongwe, Malawi. Our sincere appreciation also goes to the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Sports and Recreation Commission, ZIFA and PSL for making it possible for the team to travel.

“We thank all football stakeholders and the entire CAPS United family for their continued support. We are especially grateful to the Malawi Sports Council and the Malawi FA for facilitating the friendly matches and for ensuring smooth access to watch the Cup Final between Nyasa Bullets and Dedza Dynamos.

“It was a great match and a valuable learning experience for us.

“Our appreciation further extends to our hosting partners, Silver Strikers and MAFCO, for their commitment and support in hosting the friendly matches. To all the host football clubs, thank you for your warm welcome and generous hospitality. Your passion for the game is truly infectious, and we were honoured to share the pitch with you.

“These friendly matches once again showcased football’s power to bring people together, foster friendships, and promote sportsmanship. We were encouraged by the talent on display and wish all the teams the very best in the upcoming season.

We also extend our sincere regards to the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Malawi Nancy Saungweme, and her team for the warm welcome and support — we truly felt at home.”

CAPS United are one of the teams who have had a good preseason after investing so much in playing personnel.

They are expected to perform well better than what they did last year when they even fought against relegation.

Makepekepe open their season against newcomers Agama.