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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe says every player at the Green Machine should earn the right to be in his match-day squad.
The veteran gaffer has a good squad at his disposal, at least, on paper.
But, he has stuck to an almost similar Starting 11 over the past five weeks.
Makepekepe lead the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League standings with 11 points under their belt after five games.
“For me, managing a squad with the depth that we have is one of the most important responsibilities. “It’s my role to make sure that everyone is happy in the team. But, at the same time, as far as game-time is concerned, it’s not something that is donated.
“I have always told my players that if you want to play, you should earn the right to play.
“I am happy they (players) fully understand that they have the responsibility to perform. If you perform well, you increase your chances of making it in the team,” said Chitembwe.
The Green Machine face another stern task when they face-off against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields on Sunday.
They almost passed another tough test against champions FC Platinum last weekend before suffering a late heartbreak when settling to a 1-1 draw with the Zvishavane team.
Makepekepe led for the better part of the encounter after finding the opening goals through William Manondo five minutes before the break. But FC Platinum substitute Perfect Chikwende broke their hearts when he found the equaliser six minutes from time.
It was a huge point for the Harare giants though after they maintained a single point gap between them and FC Platinum who are second on the log.
But they have to be well-equipped going into this weekend’s assessment against Chicken Inn. Just like Makepekepe, Chicken Inn are yet to taste defeat this season.
An explosive encounter is expected when the two teams clash at Barbourfields.
Chitembwe is aware of the size of the task that awaits them against Chicken Inn though he is justified for fancying his team’s chances.
“I think the expectations are the same. We always expect teams to be difficult to play against, especially away from home.
“I think Chicken Inn have been one of the top teams in recent years. So we are expecting a very tough game against them,” said Chitembwe.
The most decorated CAPS United son is banking on his club’s good start to the term.
“I think the way we have started the season is very important as far as where we want to go is concerned. “The good form we are in right now gives credence to our preparations and planning as well as what has been happening within our camp.
“Look, whether you haven’t lost a match or you haven’t won a match for some time, it doesn’t matter. I think, it all goes down to how you apply yourselves on the day and I hope that if we do apply ourselves well, we stand a very good chance because as a team, we have shown that we have the quality in the last couple of games.
“I also think that Chicken Inn have quality as well and it will all come down to the application on the day”.
Meanwhile midfielder Devon Chafa says Makepekepe fans who are coming to the stadium in their numbers are driving the team to work even harder.
“It’s like a motivating factor to have the fans coming to watch us in their numbers. It gives us, as players, the energy to keep winning games and continue fighting hard. If they keep on coming, we will obviously keep on working extra hard to make them happy,” said Chafa.
“We play for the fans and if they are happy, we will also be happy because we would have accomplished our mission”.
The Chicken Inn match will be Makepekepe’s second game outside Harare over the past five weeks. The last time they played outside the capital, they faced Ngezi Platinum in match-day two, whom they held to a goalless draw despite playing second fiddle in all other aspects in the entire afternoon.
Fixtures:
Today: ZPC Kariba v Manica Diamonds (NSS)
Tomorrow: Green Fuels v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Triangle (Mandava), Hwange v Cranborne Bullets (Luveve), Yadah v Highlanders (NSS), Black Rhinos v Herentals (Baobab).
Sunday: Dynamos v Bulawayo Chiefs (NSS), Sheasham v Simba Bhora (Mandava), Chicken Inn v CAPS United (BF)
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