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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United have dismissed speculation surrounding the future of their coach Lloyd Chitembwe and say the gaffer is at the club to stay. The Green Machine’s two leading figures, club president Farai Jere and his deputy Nhamo Tutisani, met the coach in Harare yesterday and agreed there was no need for the gaffer to endure any pressure. CAPS United chief executive Cuthbert Chitima yesterday rallied behind the coach.
Makepekepe have found the post-Champions League transition difficult as they have also lost some of their key players to foreign teams.
Chitima said people should not read much into the gestures where Chitembwe appeared to wave goodbye to the fans at Luveve on Wednesday after a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Chicken Inn.
“It’s business as usual with our coach. The problem is that people tend to make out their own meanings out of every movement,” said Chitima.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t see the gesture, but I was with the coach this afternoon (yesterday) and he didn’t mention anything about leaving or intentions of leaving.
“I am sure this is a period we need to stick together as the CAPS United family. We have to give him the space to do his job. He needs that at this moment.”
He said Chitembwe needed the space to start rebuilding his side again in the face of injuries and the departure of players such as Abbas Amidu and Ronald Chitiyo who were key members of his campaign.
Leftback Ronald Pfumbidzai is also on his way out as a deal is pending at South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtic where he had trials recently.
The CAPS United chief executive said the closing of the local transfer window has also put to rest the widespread speculation about players leaving the club and will help bring back normalcy.
A number of CAPS United players had been linked with movements during the mid-season break and Chitembwe said the uncertainty had been affecting his dressing room.
At the same time, Makepekepe have been struggling to clear a fixtures backlog that was caused by their participation in the Champions League.
With matches coming thick and fast as they played catch-up, the Green Machine have not been able to cope with the pressure.
Chitima, however, believes that with time they will be back to their best form.
CAPS United are currently rooted third from the bottom of the table with 14 points from 13 games.
“Losses are part of the game. We can’t be seen to be pressing the panic button because we have lost three matches. It happens even with the big teams in the big leagues.
“The point is we are going through a transition. We have a new team coming in and usually it’s expected when a team experiences so many changes.
“I’m sure if we give this team time results will start coming.
“There is no question about that, supporters and everyone else at the club wants the team to win each and every game that they play.
“But when we go through such a phase, what is important is that the team is able to regroup and starts winning again. That is what we are aiming for,” said Chitima.
Makepekepe will be back at home this Sunday as they host ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter