Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi said the Green Machine will do more to ensure they win their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Manica Diamonds at Sakubva this afternoon.
The Harare giants have endured a disappointing streak in which they have won just once in their past 11 games.
As a result, they have dropped right from the top post they had made theirs in the opening third of the season, to fifth with 36 points, 13 behind leaders Scottland with just 12 games of the term remaining.
While Chiragwi isn’t promising CAPS United fans heaven on earth, he has just refused to walk out of the ring just as yet.
“We know we haven’t done as well as we should,” said Chiragwi.
“We have no one, but ourselves to blame. We have disappointed the fans and we are really sorry for that.
“We should also acknowledge that the league is very competitive but we are a strong team that has let itself down through marginal errors.
“But that’s our past. We know we should redeem ourselves as a team.
“It’s up to us to correct every error that we have committed in the past and be able to come back on the rails.
“For now that’s the aim and motivation. CAPS United is a giant and that status has to be respected. It is our responsibility to ensure that stays.”
Facing a Manica Diamonds side that is swimming deep in the relegation mud and desperate to grind some results to ease their own situation presents a potential banana skin for Chiragwi and his boys.
And he is fully aware of the danger posed by a team trying to save its soul especially with a new man in charge in Herbert Maruwa.
“By every measure, the game against Manica Diamonds is never easy. Look at where they are on the log right now.
“It’s a team that is eager to maintain their status in the league yet they are wallowing down there,” said Chiragwi.
“It is teams like them that are easy to face at this stage of the marathon.
“I have faced relegation haunted clubs in my career and I know what I am talking about. They are tricky and very dangerous. These are teams that will risk it out and if they catch you napping they fully maximise.
“Besides, Manica Diamonds are never passive opponents to any team no matter their position.
“They have both quality and depth in their ranks. Like I always say, in football at times, you need luck to be on your side.
“Manica Diamonds is one team that I know have played well throughout the season but they have always lacked luck.
“Once they get the groove, they can punish you. But I have told my players to do more.
“We have worked repeatedly on our mistakes trying to improve our game.
“I have seen a lot of improvement from my boys throughout the week. They look hungry, they look passionate and the desire is at another level.
“I just hope all that will translate into results in the field of play. It’s going to be a tough game but hopefully we will tuck it away.”
Makepekepe will be without their influential forward Ishmael Wadi who has been ruled out for the next three games due to injury.
Youngster Alleny Mukombedzi, who would have otherwise, made a dream appearance in his home town is also out as he hasn’t fully recovered from the injury he sustained two months ago.
“Yea the good thing is everyone else is available, but we would have wanted all our players at this point,” added Chiragwi.
“Wadi and Mukombedzi aren’t in, but we hope and trust that the other guys will do the job.
“I have challenged every player to show us why they are at CAPS United.
“They have to show it now rather than later. The institution is big and deserves big hearts. So yeah, we are ready to go.”
