Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi feels that Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches are becoming trickier by the week and his players would need to keep their feet on the ground.
The Green Machine are controlling early proceedings in the top-flight, leading the race with 15 points, one above city rivals Dynamos after six match days.
Yet the former Ngezi Platinum Stars gaffer has picked that those smaller margins are determining games across the top-flight and wants his players to be more meticulous at this stage.
Makepekepe face win-less newboys FC Hunters at Rufaro tomorrow, aiming to ring-fence their place at the top.
“There are no easy games in the Premier Soccer League, believe you me,” said Chiragwi.
“This is one of the toughest seasons that we are having. You will never afford to be casual. Every team is up for the task, and they are really punching hard.
“FC Hunters are a very good team when I look at their composition both in the field of play and on their technical bench.
“They are a really good side and they are capable of winning any game if I look into that composition. It’s only that the league is tough and they could have been unlucky not to have won so far.
“But at CAPS United, we want to build a winning DNA. That is why we are always telling the players to stay alert and awake every minute of the game. There is no room for lapses in this league.”
Chiragwi has never allowed pressure to get the better of him in his coaching career which has seen him win the 2023 Premiership title with Ngezi Platinum Stars despite starting the term on a low note.
“Being on top of the log doesn’t mean we should always carry pressure with us. We are just playing our normal game. We are just kicking the football, enjoying our game without putting ourselves under any pressure,” added Chiragwi.
“We can’t let pressure determine our destiny. We have played only six games this season and that’s not even a quarter of the marathon. That means we have to just take it one game at a time.
“We cannot afford to look at any other game beyond the following match. That’s who we are as a team. I am happy my players are also concentrating, and that’s what I want from them.”
Chiragwi said he wasn’t much concerned after two different players missed penalties in their previous two games.
Defender Kudzai Chigwida missed a penalty in Makepekepe’s 1-0 defeat at Ngezi Platinum Stars last week while Kundai Benyu also fluffed his in the Green Machine’s 2-0 win over Manica Diamonds.
“Sometimes we have to give it to the goalkeepers rather than put the blame on the takers. Penalties can be converted, and they can also be missed,” Chirwagwi said.
Makepekepe’s biggest weapon so far appears to be their depth with players like Bruce Kangwa, Wesley Milanzi, Kennedy Mupomba, Junior Bunjira, Talent Chamboko, MacDonald Makuwe and Phineas Bamusi having played few times or not at all so far.
