Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi is unhappy with the way his team let slip a chance to compete for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, although a top-four finish is all that his contract demands.
The former Ngezi Platinum Stars gaffer took charge of his childhood team early this year and transformed the Green Machine, who look set to better their season points tally for the first time in half-a-dozen years.
The Harare giants have, since 2019, when they finished third on the table, struggled to put together a decent term, often finding themselves in the relegation matrix.
But things have changed drastically, thanks to the huge investment which the club leadership have made, luring foreign and homegrown talent, and to Chiragwi’s technical acumen.
Ironically, CAPS United threatened to gun for the championship in the early stages of the season.
That was until they hit a very rough patch in which they have struggled for consistency, winning just twice in 14 matches.
They are, however, mathematically still in with a chance to shout for the title, but with 13 points separating them from leaders Scottland and only nine games remaining, they could as well be out of contention, in reality.
Yet surrendering the fight was the last thing Chiragwi wanted to see his men do, especially after starting the marathon on the front foot.
“I am really hurt by this situation,” Chiragwi said.
“We never wanted to surrender the fight.
“We really needed to fight until the end. Yes, we will, but the stretch we are in has been disappointing.
“I am hurt for myself, the players, the fans, and everyone at the club, including the president (Farai Jere).” Chiragwi is down at the moment, so are his players.
But amid the disappointment and soul-searching, Jere organised a braai for them to calm them down. He backed Chiragwi and said: “We are interacting here today (late Monday). It’s our bright day. Why is it bright? Because we are not panicking as a team.
“I’ll tell you why. I have two reasons. Since the last time we won the league, in terms of points tally, we have done very well.
“It’s very positive. I don’t see this team finishing with less than 50 points in this competition. That will be a plus for coach Chiragwi.
“If it were any other year, right now we could be looking at the team at the bottom.
“Last year, by this time, we were second or third from the bottom, and everyone thought this team was going to be relegated.
“Now we are talking about winning the championship. I know expectations and demands become high with that.
“But look at this team. It’s a great team. They have been dominating matches, and we are just not getting the results. So, what happens if you press the panic button for a team like this? You make wrong decisions.
“We need to look at where we have a problem. If a team is creating chances, take note: it’s a clear sign that the philosophy of the coach is working. The issue is that we are failing to score. Everyone is saying our team is not scoring.”
Jere said CAPS United could make up for their league failings by winning in the knock-out competitions.
“I know we become emotional and fail to look at the facts. A season is not only about the league. We still have two cups coming: the ZIFA Munhumutapa Cup and the Chibuku Super Cup. The season is still on.
“As a team, we are not panicking. We are very happy. Today is our bright day on the calendar with the players. We are discussing what is happening.
“We don’t want to put too much pressure on our strikers. We want them to be composed. “I don’t know what people mean when they say we need to turn a corner. We scored three goals against Hardrock just three to four weeks ago.”
