adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Mark Harrison says the Green Machine have to put behind them the financial worries gripping their team as they look to turn the tables on ZPC Kariba in a league match at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Makepekepe have not made secret their intentions to lay a strong challenge for this year’s championship but it seems their campaign has been affected early in the season by the financial challenges.
The club’s owner, Twine Phiri, this week said the economic challenges facing the nation have not spared the domestic football clubs and was now contemplating selling the club if he finds serious buyers.
The Green Machine coach, who last week painted a gloomy picture of the situation at the club, yesterday said the team was determined to soldier on despite the problems they were facing.
Makepekepe and ZPC Kariba meet for the second time inside one week following last week’s 0-1 loss in the Independence Cup third place play-off at White City.
Harrison said they needed to pick themselves up and continue with the fight.
“We are trying to keep focused despite everything,” said Harrison.
“The guys are looking forward positively. This is a home game and it’s important that we do well. We are trying to do a professional job.
“It’s one of those situations where you have to try and march on from one game to another hoping that something good will come up along the way.” CAPS United are sitting on 10th position on the log standings with seven points, six behind pace-setters Triangle and Dynamos who are tied on 13 points. The Green Machine had started on a positive note but things took a turn for the worse in the last three weeks.
CAPS players boycotted a match at How Mine and they have lost their last three competitive matches in the league and the Uhuru Cup.
But after resting most of their key personnel for the Uhuru Cup third place play-off against ZPC Kariba last weekend, Harrison is looking to turn back to his strongest team.
Veteran forward, Leonard Tsipa, is still down with an ankle injury while Carlton Munzabwa is battling a groin injury. Team captain, Hardlife Zvirekwi, has since started training after shaking of a minor knock and is expected to have recovered for the game. “We have had normal practice this week. Apart from Tsipa who is still injured, we are building up to the match quite well,” said Har- rison.
CAPS United will need to use Sunday’s game to build confidence ahead of their blockbuster clash away to Highlanders in their next assignment.
Another big match is expected tomorrow when Harare City host Dynamos at Rufaro.
Dynamos are still unbeaten after five games but the Sunshine Boys, who picked their second win during the midweek against FC Platinum, are in high spirits and are looking for an upset. Log leaders Triangle have a tricky test against winless debutants Flame Lily tomorrow when the sides clash at Lafarge. Highlanders will travel to Rusape for a date with newboys Dongo Sawmill who are also looking for their first win of the season.
FIXTURES
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), Harare City v Dynamos (Rufaro), Flame Lily v Triangle (Lafarge), Whawha v FC Platinum (Ascot)
Sunday: CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Dongo Sawmill v Highlanders (Vengere), Chapungu v Hwange (Ascot), Tsholotsho v Buffaloes (Luveve)
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