Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in LILONGWE, Malawi
SEASONED striker Obriel Chirinda has revealed the inner pain he felt whenever he scored against CAPS United during his days at Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs and Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Not that he wished that he did not to score against the Green Machine as he carried some extra motivation each time he lined up against them.
This is because Makepekepe is “a family team’’ which the forward grew up loving with so much passion.
Chirinda said his dream was always to one day get to play for the Harare giants, and the dream has finally been fulfilled after the prolific striker joined from Ngezi Platinum Stars last month.
He is currently with his teammates wrapping up a two-week bonding and team-building pre-season camp in Malawi.
CAPS United played three friendly games, two against Lilongwe giants Silver Strikers, winning both, before they played out a goalless draw against MAFCO.
The team is expected to leave Malawi tomorrow with a possible stopover in Tete, Mozambique where another friendly game is being organised.
If that match materialises, it will be played on Saturday, and Makepekepe will be back home by Sunday evening.
The bonding session looks to have yielded positive results with the group now looking more united than they were before the trip.
That’s the right tonic Chirinda needed before the season gets underway on March 7.
Now getting a chance to feature for the team he has always supported has made him feel a bit anxious but certainly ready for the task.
“I should say, my blood is green. My father supports CAPS United, and so does everyone in our family.
“I have always wanted to play for Makepekepe, and it was only a matter of time,” said Chirinda.
“I am here finally, and I don’t think I need any extra motivation to perform.
“Before this move, I almost always scored whenever I played against CAPS United. I had that motivation to want to win against them. “Yet there was that inner pain that I would carry. But as a professional I obviously felt more pain if I lost the game.
“Fortunately, I was winning most of the battles against CAPS United.
“But I am happy to be at the team at last. “I want to help them, of course with the help of everyone else at the club, restore their status,’’ added Chirinda.
He knows how difficult CAPS United matches are as he revealed how every club he has played for would alter the way they trained in the build-up for every clash against Makepekepe.
“I know every team in the league prepares differently when they are to face CAPS United.
“That means every game that the team plays has incredible intensity.
“That is what we should prepare for in the entire year. It will be like every game is a cup final for the team.
“That is what we should be prepared to face. I am just hoping to play my part and help the Green Machine achieve their goals.
“I know we have to deliver silverware under what may.
“That’s what we are here for. We also need that silverware as players, and everyone in the changing room is speaking with one voice.” This is the first time in Chirinda’s illustrious career to play for any of the biggest three clubs in the country, and the player has credited the likes of Tanaka Shandirwa and the other guys who have been with CAPS United before for helping him adapt fast.
“I am definitely humbled with the love the boys are showing me. You know so many of us crossed from Ngezi Platinum Stars, and you would think you will see us moving as a group,” he added.
