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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
TWO-TIME Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere appear to have hit the right form at the most crucial moment to lift giants CAPS United from the relegation matrix.
Makepekepe are unbeaten in their last six games, with Chinyengetere undoubtedly the star of the show.
Like a diesel engine, the 35-year-old forward, who won the Golden Boot five years ago, took his time to settle this season.
But he has turned back the hands of time in the last few outings notching up six goals at an impressive average of almost a goal per game the last month.
His coach Lloyd Chitembwe feels age is not a deterrent.
“He is (one of) the oldest player(s) in the league and I’m happy that the oldest player in the league is scoring goals for fun. Sometimes I feel vindicated; it’s not in the age but it’s in the quality of the man. He is an unbelievable football player and above all he is a special human being.
“So I’m extremely happy with him. I’m sure even the club will also be in a position to also reward him for the work and loyalty to the club especially when things were very difficult.
“He is one player who has risen above the rest to prove to everyone that he is there, he is a CAPS United player,” said Chitembwe.
Makepekepe have risen from the bottom rungs of the table where they spent most of the campaign fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone. They are now in seventh place after winning four and drawing two of their last six games.
“Obviously, this is not the platform to analyse the team performance of the season. It’s just not the day. I’m sure after the end of the season I’ll be able to sit down and obviously look back at the performance of the team.
“There are a lot of things that have changed within the structure of the team and this is not for public domain.
“I’m extremely happy with the structure and this is the reason why we have managed to come together as a group, from players, coaches and the other members that make the football club.
“So I’m extremely happy from that viewpoint. I just hope it will not be a temporary measure. It has to be a permanent measure so that the team can still continue to grow and win matches.” Makepekepe travel to GreenFuel tomorrow for their next match.
“It’s important we go there with the same kind of belief that we can win it. The is what it is all about. Like I always say, CAPS United is a football club that is rich in history. So, the whole idea is to go out there and represent it fairly well and expect to win the football match,” said Chitembwe.
Last Supper for Bullets?
Cranborne Bullets could become the first team to be relegated today if they fail to win against Manica Diamonds at the National Sports Stadium. The army side sit at the basement with 26 points. The team occupying the last spot for survival going into the last three games, Triangle, have 34 points.
Fixtures:
Today: Cranborne Bullets v Manica Diamonds (NSS), Simba Bhora v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Baobab), Sheasham v ZPC Kariba (Bata)
Tomorrow: Dynamos v Chicken Inn (NSS), Yadah v FC Platinum (Baobab), Hwange v Black Rhinos (Colliery), Highlanders v Herentals (Barbourfields), GreenFuel v CAPS United (GreenFuel), Bulawayo Chiefs v Triangle (Luveve)
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