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Langton Nyakwenda
UNLIKE in May, when they hogged the limelight after defying a Premier Soccer League directive to host CAPS United at Mandava Stadium, it is certain Sheasham will turn up at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon to finally play Makepekepe.
CAPS United and Sheasham are the only two sides yet to play each other this season after their reverse fixture on May 21 was abandoned.
Sheasham were forced to use Mandava as their home ground after their own stadium, Bata, was de-homologated just two weeks after they had hosted Highlanders at the Gweru venue.
The debutants then refused to travel to Zvishavane in protest.
The abortive tie was declared a walkover in favour of CAPS United on a 3-0 scoreline.
Today, exactly 147 days after the incident, CAPS United and Sheasham will finally clash in a Premiership match for the first time.
Sheasham drew six of their opening eight games under then-coach John Nyikadzino.
The Construction Boys also won plaudits for their valiant effort to upgrade Bata Stadium and bring back top-flight football to Gweru.
Their first game at the venue was against Highlanders on May 7, which ended 0-0.
They also ensured they would avoid defeat to Bosso when holding the Bulawayo giants 1-1 at Barbourfields Stadium two weeks ago.
With coach Lizwe Sweswe bringing in fresh impetus at the club, Sheasham are fancying their chances of surviving relegation.
Since taking over on July 11, Sweswe has taken charge of 12 games — winning five, drawing three and losing four.
He has picked up 18 out of a possible 36 points, translating to a 50 percent success rate.
Sweswe’s predecessor Nyikadzino managed a single win in 14 matches, garnering 12 points out of a possible 42.
Nyikadzino’s results translated to a 29 percent success rate.
“We have been trying to make sure we pick up points; win one or two games so that we are there to compete to survive,” Sweswe told The Sunday Mail Sport.
The Sheasham faithful believe today is a chance to reclaim the three points that were “stolen” from them in May.
However, Sweswe remains an “enemy” to many Makepekepe fans.
He was in charge of FC Platinum in 2019 when the Zvishavane miners bagged their third consecutive league title at the expense of CAPS United.
Needing nothing short of victory to secure a second championship in three years, Makepekepe fell to Sweswe’s FC Platinum, with a Perfect Chikwende goal deciding the championship race on the final day of the 2019 season.
Today, the Sheasham gaffer returns to face CAPS United at a time the faded Harare giants are battling to preserve their long-standing Premiership status.
Lloyd Chitembwe’s men are still in the woods despite ending a 10-match winless run with a crucial 1-0 away win at Hwange.
Both sides now have 30 points, just four above Triangle — who occupy 16th place — going into the last eight games of the season.
“This is a big game; in fact, all games are big now,” added Sweswe, who was Mapeza’s deputy when FC Platinum won the championship in 2017 and 2018.
After Mapeza’s departure, he took over the team and won the title in 2019.
“I have got history with CAPS United and they have a history with Sheasham.
“Some people here are saying CAPS United took our points when that match was abandoned, so we want them back,” he said.
Sweswe also still vividly remembers the time he put a dagger in the heart of Makepekepe fans in December 2019.
“That was something else. It was the final game of the season and I was with FC Platinum; we enjoyed the moment,” he says.
“But this game is totally new and different. What matters most is to apply ourselves in a manner that will ensure that we get a positive result out there.” Sweswe has masterminded some fine results, including wins over FC Platinum at Mandava, Chicken Inn at Luveve, as well as Hwange, Cranborne Bullets and his former side Bulawayo Chiefs.
“We need to build from last weekend’s win against Bulawayo Chiefs.
“We will work hard, fight and try and make sure we do our best with a positive mind.”
Sheasham will play at least four teams that are also facing relegation in their last eight games.
After CAPS United, they play Triangle, ZPC Kariba and Black Rhinos.
They will also meet title contenders Ngezi Platinum Stars, FC Platinum and Manica Diamonds. “We have picked up some crucial points against big teams, which is all about character; the character is there now,” added Sweswe. “For us to survive the chop, we should beat the bottom teams; if we beat the top teams, it would be a bonus.
“It’s about letting these players believe in themselves. Some of them were here when the team was promoted.
“They need to make sure the team stays in the Premier League; they have careers to protect. There is no way they can lose their Premiership status.”
Sheasham have some experienced players, who include Hillary Bakacheza, Roy Useni, William Stima and Collen Kwaramba.
Bakacheza — a 2015 Soccer Star of the Year finalist with Triangle — has been instrumental in Sheasham’s revival and scored a last-gasp winner when the Construction Boys overcame Bulawayo Chiefs.
CAPS United face a real danger of being relegated for the first time in their history.
It is a history that coach Lloyd Chitembwe wants to defend.
“We are going through a difficult patch as a club and I feel we need to work hard to move away from that precarious position,” said Chitembwe.
“We are a club with a history and we deserve better as a football family.”
Their win over Hwange was CAPS United’s first in 11 league games.
CAPS have seven wins in 26 matches.
Fixtures:
Triangle v Hwange (Gibbo), CAPS United v Sheasham (National Sports Stadium)
■ X: @LangtonGuraz
Online Reporter