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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
VETERAN forward Leonard Tsipa has been rested as CAPS United begin their quest to win the Chibuku Super Cup tomorrow with a home date against Tsholotsho.
It probably sends the signal that coach Lloyd Chitembwe’s priority is in winning the league title.
Chitembwe and his men return to their fortress where the coach is unbeaten in his latest spell with Makepekepe in 18 games since taking over last year,
Tsipa is in scoring form as he scored in each of the team’s last three league victories.
Chitembwe says he needs to manage the aging forward.
Last weekend, Tsipa limped off in the final quarter of the match against champions Chicken Inn.
“Leonard is okay, we are resting him,” said Chitembwe.
“We need to make sure his fitness is managed because with his age his body is no longer the same as it used to be so we have to manage that, but he will be back in the next game.
“I am happy for him and the scoring form he is in because he has been getting stick in previous matches from the supporters, but just look at the response and this is what is needed.”
Chitembwe said they were focussed on winning the tournament.
“The focus is the same and that is to win each and every game be it the league or a Cup game. The whole idea is to try and maintain what we have been doing and always seeking for a victory in each game,” he said.
“There are no longer small teams or big teams and every game is difficult.
“In recent weeks, they (Tsholotsho) have been doing well trying to survive relegation. Even when we played them, they tried to make life difficult for us.
“If we retain that same attitude like when we played those (league) matches it may help us.”
CAPS United are being stalked by injuries, but Chitembwe said it should be business as usual.
For this weekend, skipper Moses Chunga will join midfielders Tafadzwa Rusike, Archford Gutu and Abbas Amidu in the casualty ward.
“We cannot complain about injuries anymore as it has always been the case that we are missing players every week and cannot remember when was the last time we had a full squad,” said Chitembwe.
CAPS United were booted out in the first round of the same tournament last season when they were beaten on penalties after they had drawn 2-2 with ZPC Kariba.
Chibuku Super Cup
1st Round Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Border Strikers (Rufaro).
Tomorrow: Ngezi Platinum v Hwange (Baobab), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava), CAPS United v Tsholotsho (National Sports Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo City (Nyamhunga).
Sunday: Dynamos v How Mine (Rufaro), Triangle v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Highlanders v Mutare City (Barbourfields).
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