Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS UNITED are flying, but Takesure Chiragwi isn’t buying into the noise just yet.
The Green Machine coach says his side is still a work in progress, even as they make a strong early statement in the 2026 Castle Lager Premiership race.
He walked into a team that had lost its edge and rebuilt it quickly. Now CAPS are playing with belief again, taking charge of games and setting the pace instead of chasing it.
Sunday’s 2-0 win over Manica Diamonds said plenty. Not just about the result, but how CAPS are starting to control matches.
They are no longer reacting, they are dictating.
Makepekepe are a different side now.
Chiragwi has overhauled the squad that flirted with relegation last season, and the impact is already showing. Five wins from six games, 15 points on the board, and a narrow cushion at the top after the Easter round of fixtures.
Dynamos, champions Scottland and Ngezi Platinum Stars are right there, waiting. This will not be easy.
But CAPS have given themselves a platform.
“We are still working and building the team,” said Chiragwi.
“If we can build the team this way and we are still winning, what else do you want? They easily gain confidence and improve every day because of winning.
“If the team is winning, it’s easy for the players to improve every day during training and also in game situations like this.
“So, we appreciate the players, how they understand, how they quickly adjust and make sure they can play as a team.”
The depth is starting to show.
Chiragwi made five changes to the side that lost to Ngezi and still got the job done. Brian Kadamanja, Lloyd Njaliwa, Takunda Benhura, Kundai Benyu and Chawanangwa Kaonga came in without disrupting the rhythm.
Others who started in that defeat, Tanaka Shandirwa, Bret Amidu, Chitoshi Chinga, Obriel Chirinda and Junior Kunashe Chando, had to settle for the bench.
No drop in intensity. No drop in quality.
Then there is Alleny Mukombedzi.
Three goals already, all off the bench. He came on again on Sunday and made it count, sealing the win with a composed finish that lifted the crowd at Rufaro.
“Yes, that’s what we want,” said Chiragwi.
“Like I said, he’s one of the players that registered for CAPS United to come in and perform. It’s his responsibility as a striker to make sure that he can score goals for us.
“But I think what is important is to make sure we respect the process; be patient, and we can see more from these youngsters.”
One area still needs attention, penalties.
CAPS have now missed spot-kicks in successive games. Kudzai Chigwida’s miss against Ngezi proved costly in their only defeat so far.
Chiragwi is not overly worried.
“I’m not really concerned about that. But I’m really concerned if we cannot create those opportunities to create penalties. And we did very well to create those penalties. It was not luck; it was not a fluke. We did very well.
“It was another opportunity for us to score. But if you missed a penalty, tough luck, it’s part of the game.
“We missed the penalty in the first half and we came back very strong in the second half to score again. Two goals because we’ve been going in front of the goal to make sure we can get a goal.
“So, at the end of the day, what we need is just to encourage the players to make sure they have confidence and also need to give the credit to the goalkeepers.
“It’s not only that we are missing the penalties, the penalty takers, but it’s also the goalkeepers, they are also good to take those penalties.”
Beyond the results, Chiragwi points to something else driving this start.
Unity
“That’s one thing for sure that we need to respect. And also, the support from the club’s owners. I do not lie; they are giving very good support to the team.
“So, at the end of the day, if the support is coming from all angles, the technical team, the players, the president himself, the executives, the staff and the supporters. It’s one unit, one family. It’s easy to get the results because you are one.”
CAPS United are not just picking up points. They are building something.
Next up, newboys FC Hunters at Rufaro.
