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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United assistant coach Saul Chaminuka is savouring the homecoming moment at Sakubva when they clash with Motor Action in the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup this Saturday.
Chaminuka, who spent the last one-and-half seasons in Mutare with Buffaloes, will be back at Sakubva for the first time since June, when he parted ways with the army side.
And for him, returning to Sakubva feels more like returning home and hopes that the Mutare crowd will warmly embrace him for the good memories they shared during his 18 months at Buffaloes.
“It’s more like playing at home and I’m loving it. I think it’s a plus for us in terms of planning. I know the advantages and disadvantages of playing on that pitch and hopefully, that will work to our good,” said Chaminuka.
CAPS United will be hoping to lay a strong challenge in the Mbada Diamonds Cup this year after falling short in the first two editions. The Green Machine, who earned the nickname “Cup Kings” in the past because of their successes in knock-out competitions, appear in good shape this season and could be a team to watch following a good run in the league competition under the tutelage of Chaminuka and head coach Taurai Mangwiro.
But they will be praying problems that rocked their camp last week will not come back to haunt them after averting a labour unrest which nearly threatened their participation in this tournament.
Chaminuka said he was encouraged by the mood in their camp as the players appear to have put everything behind them.
CAPS United resumed training on Monday and immediately shifted their focus on the lucrative Mbada Diamonds Cup with their players responding well to the management call.
“In terms of prizes and other incentives, this is the richest tournament in the league and all eyes are on that cup. So it will not be an easy competition for anyone. We are also looking at winning it here at CAPS United.
“The mood in the camp is quite encouraging. We were looking forward to seeing these guys in good spirits and that is exactly what we got when we resumed training this week.
“Coming from what has been happening, we hope for a 100 percent effort. We are doing all we can to prepare ourselves for this first round match. We don’t want to leave anything to chance. Psychologically, technically and tactically we want to be sound because we don’t want excuses.
“We would expect to steam-roll past Motor Action but in cup games, it’s a bit tricky. We would need to be at our best no matter how Motor Action could be playing this year,” said Chaminuka.
Their opponents — Motor Action — said they will not be sitting ducks despite the downturn of fortunes at the club. The Mighty Bulls are experiencing their worst season since 2000, when they arrived in the topflight, as they are being weighed down heavily by financial challenges.
Coach Prince Matore yesterday said they are expecting a tough match but his youngsters are prepared to give their all to see them through the first hurdle.
Ironically, Motor Action were eliminated by the same opponents in the first round last year, after losing 1-0 at Trojan.
Motor Action will be aware that their success in this tournament will go a long way to ease their financial worries.
“Usually, cup games are unpredictable. Anything can happen and you just need to prepare well for the game. CAPS United want to win it and we are also aiming for the same. So it’s a 50-50 situation and the better team on the day will win,” said Matore.
The 2010 Castle Lager Champions are also not new to Sakubva as they have used the facility as their home-ground before.
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