Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THERE is something about CAPS United’s fighting spirit in the recent matches which makes this year’s Chibuku Super Cup an interesting fixture for the Green Machine in their push for silverware in the knock-out competitions.
With their Premiership title ambitions all but extinguished, Makepekepe have shifted focus to the cup tournaments with statement wins, following the 6-0 thrashing of Scottland Academy in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and the 3-2 win over Simba Bhora in the Chibuku Super Cup at the weekend.
CAPS United are desperate to end a decade-long trophy drought.
However, the Harare giants face a formidable line-up for the quarter-final draw that is headlined by holders Dynamos, Highlanders, Scottland, Hardrock, MWOS, FC Hunters and ZPC Kariba, following a first round devoid of major upsets.
The quarter-finals are scheduled for the weekend of September 12 and 13.
Green Machine coach Takesure Chiragwi believes his side has found form at the right stage of the campaign.
The Green Machine have scored 13 goals in their last three matches across all competitions, starting with an emphatic 4-2 league victory over traditional rivals Highlanders.
With both the Chibuku Super Cup and the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup still within reach, Chiragwi believes his side has every reason to dream of silverware.
“I think this is the desire of every coach to make sure that when you play football, you need to win silverware.
“So, at the end of the day, if we can manage to get through and also fight to end the season in a respectable position. It’s very important for the club and also for the fans,” said Chiragwi.
Their never-say-die spirit was once again on display against Simba Bhora, with super-sub Tinotenda Meke emerging as the hero after grabbing a stoppage-time winner.
Meke’s impact from the bench has become a valuable weapon for the Green Machine. Makepekepe have also been spurred on by players like Lloyd Njaliwa, Uchizi Vunga, and Alleny Mukombedzi, who recently returned from injury.
Chiragwi said the overall objective is to restore the “Cup Kings” status at the Harare giants and challenged his charges to step up.
“It’s also important for us to make our own history,” he said.
“So, I think we’ve got the opportunity to do that because we’re still in those two cups; we still have the chance to make sure that we can also add one or two to the history of the club,” said Chiragwi.
But they are likely to meet stiff competition in the last eight.
Defending champions Dynamos have already declared their intentions to extend their dominance in the competition by securing a fourth successive title, while league leaders Scottland have made it clear that they intend to challenge for every available honour this season.
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza buttressed these ambitions after watching his side eliminate two-time Chibuku Super Cup winners FC Platinum with a convincing 3-1 victory at Rufaro.
“It’s a game of football, and for me as a coach, I take these tournaments very seriously: the league, the Chibuku Super Cup and the Munhumutapa Cup because it’s competition.
“So, in every competition we have to play to win,” said Mapeza.
Defending champions Dynamos also sent out a strong warning to their rivals with a powerful second-half display against TelOne.
After being held for long periods of the contest, DeMbare struck three times in the final 20 minutes to secure a comprehensive 4-1 victory and book their place in the last eight.
The result came as a welcome boost for technical director Aristica Cioaba, who had endured a difficult spell following Dynamos’ elimination from both the CAF Confederation Cup and the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
Cioaba was impressed by his team’s response following the shock 0-1 defeat at Hwange in their last Munhumutapa game.
“I have been working on the players’ mentality. I told them, let’s forget about that (Hwange) game. We tried our best, and we lost 1-0. We understand; forget everything. Football is like that.
“This week we worked nicely with all the players, and the pressure is coming off. Everybody is saying we need to win this (Chibuku Super) Cup.
“We will try our best in this competition. You know, I like to win all the games. If it’s in the cup, we need to fight for the cup.
“If it’s the league, we need to fight for the league, and the players understand,” said Cioaba.
Ambitious newboys Hardrock are also keen to end with silverware in their debuts season as they still fancy a realistic push for all three titles.
The Kwekwe gold miners edged 2022 Chibuku Super Cup winners Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 at Chahwanda to book their place in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals.
Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finalists:
Scottland, ZPC Kariba, CAPS United, MWOS, Dynamos, Highlanders, FC Hunters, Hardrock
