adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United players are looking to repay their coach Mark Harrison for his resilience and determination to see the team back on its feet when they host ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
Makepekepe go into the game on the back of serious challenges but Ronald Pfumbidzai yesterday said they were seeking to spring back from a 0-4 mauling at Triangle in their last league outing when they date Saul Chaminuka’s men.
Pfumbidzai revealed Harrison has played a central role in helping the situation from deteriorating into a full-blown crisis at the Green Machine.
“This is a pressure game because of the things that we have been experiencing of late. We need something positive, at least,” said Pfumbidzai.
“So, we take it as a must-win game despite our challenges.
“It’s difficult but we have to do it for the coach. We all share the same vision with him for the success of the club.
“He has been there for us, encouraging us not to lose hope even when we were at our lowest. So, we have to put in more effort to win games for him.”
CAPS United are sitting on 10th position on the log standings with seven points, six behind pacesetters 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.
The Green Machine players boycotted a match at How Mine and they have lost their last three competitive matches in the league and the Uhuru Cup.
After resting most of his 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.
The team’s captain Hardlife Zvirekwi has since started training after shaking off a minor knock and is expected to have recovered for the game.
But this is more of a revenge match for ZPC Kariba. Chaminuka’s men were denied the championship by Makepekepe last season when the Green Machine produced one of their finest performances in the last game of the season to win 3-2 and literally hand Dynamos the championship.
ZPC Kariba forward Tawanda Nyamandwe will not be able to square off against his former paymasters after he was shown a red card during their mid-week visit to Chapungu where they lost 1-2.
This was their first defeat in five games this season and they will be eager to bounce back tomorrow.
Meanwhile, a time bomb could be ticking for newboys Dongo Sawmill early in the season as players are not happy with unpaid sign-on fees and salaries.
According to sources close to the team, tension is rising within the team.
However, coach Shadreck Magurasave dismissed the reports of dissent among his players.
Dongo are still looking for their first win after faltering in the opening five games of the season.
“That is news to me. The players are having their normal training and actually today (yesterday) we are leaving for camping ahead of the match against Highlanders. We are all in agreement that since we are at home, this is a match that we need to win to get our campaign on its feet.
“We have been working on correcting the mistakes that have been costing us of late. We need to close down our opponents and try to concentrate until the final whistle,” said Magurasave.
Dongo Sawmill have been dealt a blow with the suspension of Dereck Chitsanzara and Kelvin Katandika who have three yellow cards each.
Log leaders Triangle will be looking to maintain control of the race when they face tricky hosts Flame Lily at Lafarge this afternoon.
FIXTURES
Today: Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), Harare City v Dynamos (Rufaro), Flame Lily v Triangle (Lafarge), Whawha v FC Platinum (Ascot)
Tomorrow: CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Dongo Sawmill v Highlanders (Vengere), Chapungu v Hwange (Ascot), Tsholotsho v Buffaloes (Luveve)
Online Reporter