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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
GIANTS CAPS United are expected back in the trenches tomorrow as they host new boys Sheasham at the National Sports Stadium needing nothing short of a win to boost their floundering campaign.
The Green Machine, who find themselves in the unfamiliar bottom half of the table at this stage of the marathon, made a huge statement in last week’s 1-0 win over Hwange at the Colliery.
The victory ended a miserable run of 10 games without winning a match. Veteran Rodwell Chinyengetere showed leadership with the solitary goal on his return to the Colliery to face his former team.
Many teams usually struggle at the Colliery, especially at this time of the season when the temperatures are soaring in the wrong side of the 30s during the day.
Log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars were the last team to win in Hwange four months ago. Giant Highlanders fell and defending champions FC Platinum could only manage a point.
This could explain why Makepekepe were so excited by last week’s feat. But could this win in Hwange be the turning point that the Green Machine have been yearning for after going through one of the most “terrible” phases which has somehow spoiled the club’s 50th anniversary year?
Makepekepe find themselves closer to the relegation matrix than they are with the teams fighting for the control of the race. Only a superior goal difference separates them from ZPC Kariba, the first team in the drop zone.
Coach Lloyd Chitembwe agrees the club has gone through a lean phase but has not given up the fight.
“Obviously not 100 percent happy with what we have gone through as a club. Yes, we have gone through a very terrible phase in our existence as players, coaches and as a football club,” said Chitembwe.
“This is a football club with an unbelievable history. So, it’s one game at a time and we don’t believe that we deserve to be where we are. This is a fact and everybody associated with this great football club understands that. The whole idea is to try and improve from there.”
A win against Sheasham, a team that has also switched to the survival mode, could help create a breathing space. Both teams are tied on 30 points but CAPS United occupy a rung above because of goal difference.
Makepekepe tomorrow will be without utility man Godknows Murwira and winger Phenias Bhamusi who are currently attending the national team training camp in Harare.
The club’s management has also dangled the carrot to ensure a strong finish. Players were paid their bonuses for last week’s win and the September goal-scorers Blessing Sarupinda, Joseph Thulani, Lincoln Mangaira, Clive Rupiya and veteran Chinyengetere who grabbed the goal that ended their 10-match winless streak at Hwange last week, were showered with monetary incentives and medals.
The move by one of the club’s partners Sports Evolution360 Media is meant to keep the team focused.
But the road to the finale is not rosy.
After Sheasham, Makepekepe will face Simba Bhora (away), Cranborne Bullets (home), Highlanders (away), Bulawayo Chiefs (home), GreenFuel (away), Triangle (away), and then finish with Herentals at home.
They will also play bitter rivals Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals later this month.
The fight against relegation is so intense and at the moment the bottom 11 teams – Hwange, Simba Bhora, Bulawayo Chiefs, GreenFuel, CAPS United, Sheasham, Yadah, ZPC Kariba, Triangle, Black Rhions and Cranborne Bullets, in that order – are all not entirely safe.
Sheasham, who were promoted this year, yesterday said they are also eager to survive their debut season.
They have not lost a match in their last here outings, winning against basement side and fellow newcomers Cranborne Bullets, drawing with giants Highlanders and then staging a memorable comeback to beat hosts Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 last week.
However, their coach Lizwe Sweswe yesterday said they are expecting a tough game against the Green Machine.
“It’s a very tough one but we will give our best,” said Sweswe. “Of course, we are unbeaten in the last three games but we have to fight in each and every game. The last three games are past and we now have to deal with the coming ones and come good.
“Yeah, the talk of relegation is gaining momentum and every team from position 10 is not safe, so everyone will be fighting tooth and nail to survive. We are working so hard in believing and on our character,” said Sweswe.
Bulawayo Chiefs and Simba Bhora, who are tied on 32 points, will be cancelling out each other at Luveve today while fellow relegation fighters Black Rhinos and GreenFuel clash at Bata.
At the top end of the table, leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars’ title credentials are set to come under scrutiny again today when they face Chicken Inn at Baobab.
The Mhondoro side are still smarting from last week’s 0-1 defeat to defending FC Platinum, which halted their four-match winning run and blew open the championship race.
Ngezi Platinum Stars lead the race with 51 points and are five clear of FC Platinum who travel to ZPC Kariba this afternoon.
Norman Mapeza’s side bounced back in the title race in emphatic fashion after winning five games on the trot. They are now second on 46 points, five behind Ngezi Platinum going into the last eight games of the season.
Fixtures:
Today: Herentals v Yadah (NSS), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Chicken Inn (Baobab), Bulawayo Chiefs v Simba Bhora (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga), Black Rhinos v GreenFuel (Bata)
Tomorrow: Triangle v Hwange (Gibbo), Highlanders v Cranborne Bullets (Barbourfields), CAPS Utd v Sheasham (NSS)
Postponed: Manica Diamonds v Dynamos (Gibbo)
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