Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GIANTS CAPS United have not been taking prisoners of late.
But they still need to prove that taking control at this stage of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign was no fluke as they welcome Bulawayo Chiefs at Rufaro this afternoon.
The Green Machine are returning home with spirits high after a statement 2-1 win away to fellow giants Highlanders last week, which was their first league win against Bosso at Barbourfields since 2015.
CAPS United midfielder Lloyd Njaliwa, who scored one of the goals, emerged from Barbourfields confident that Makepekepe are on the right track to dominate Zimbabwean football this year.
Bulawayo Chiefs could be tricky opponents, but the Makepekepe midfielder knows they could cement their position at the top with another set of maximum points today.
The Green Machine are currently four points clear of the chasing pack and will be keeping an eye on their nearest rivals Hardrock who host fellow new boys FC Hunters at Chahwanda Stadium.
Njaliwa said Makepekepe are taking it “one game at a time’’ and has called on the CAPS United supporters to back the team.
“They are always behind us; the CAPS United family,” he said.
“We love them and they love us. We are players, we know what they need and we know the history of CAPS United. It’s a big team in Zimbabwe and we would want to lift CAPS United to where it belongs.
“For the past few years (the club) has not been doing well, but now it’s a new chapter, every game we take it as a new game and our mission is to win those games.”
Njaliwa has big dreams, which goes beyond the clash against Bulawayo Chiefs. The Malawian midfielder wants to win the league championship with Makepekepe in his debut season in Zimbabwe.
“The whole team knows what our mission is. Our mission is to be the champions and it begins with (winning) these games,” he said.
“Every game is a new game, as I said. So, we have to play and win and make our supporters happy. We know what they want is a win so, we always have to make sure we win,” said Njaliwa.
CAPS United have had a fiery start to the campaign winning seven of the opening nine league matches, with one draw and one defeat.
This kind of performance is in sharp contrast to the previous season when they had to fight against relegation for most of the campaign.
The arrival of new coach Takesure Chiragwi and a battery of new signings that includes Njaliwa, has re-energised the Harare giants.
Makepekepe have exerted dominance over their opponents with players like Richard Hachiro, Ishmael Wadi, Brian Kadamanja, Bret Amidu, Kundai Benyu, Nyasha Gurende, Talent Chamboko and Chawanangwa Kaonga.
The good thing about Chiragwi’s side is the depth of his squad, which has allowed him to rotate players time and again.
But Makepekepe yesterday were still keen on the availability of influential defensive midfielder Hachiro, who picked a knock in the last game.
CAPS United have 22 points, which is three times better than their tally at the same point last season when they had managed just seven.
The Green Machine have only lost to Ngezi Platinum Stars and drawn with FC Hunters this season, but have since recovered from the setbacks.
They need maximum points against Bulawayo Chiefs to sustain the momentum.
However, their coach Chiragwi has remained cautious.
“Yes, it’s a tricky game as I have said, but we will give it our all as we have always done in other games.
“Well, if you remember, we played FC Hunters at Rufaro, and we were made to sweat for the point in that 1-1 draw. That shows you how competitive every team is in this league,” said Chiragwi.
Bulawayo Chiefs are coming from a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Chicken Inn, in a low-key Bulawayo Derby. This was their second win this season and they need more to recover from their slow take-off.
Chiefs are currently 13th on the log standings with 10 points in the bag. Today they miss one of their key players Melikhaya Ncube due to suspension.
Coach John Nyikadzino told Zimpapers Sports Hub they were bracing for a tough battle.
Chiefs, who returned to the topflight this year after they were demoted for one season, have never won an away league assignment against CAPS United since 2018 when they first got onto the topflight scene.
“We are facing the log leaders, CAPS United. They are not on top of the table by chance.
“They are a good side. They have quality coaches and players, and we are looking forward to this match,” said Nyikadzino.
Elsewhere, Kelvin Kaindu’s Hardrock will be fighting to maintain pressure on the leaders when they host minnows FC Hunters at Chawanda.
Four points separate the teams at the top of the table.
Hardrock played draws against Ngezi Platinum Stars and Manica Diamonds in the last two outings, to lose grip of Makepekepe.
Tomorrow, the spotlight will turn on the match between champions Scottland and their predecessors Simba Bhora at Rufaro.
Scottland snapped a three-match winless run last week when they edged MWOS 1-0 away at Ngoni.
With 17 points in the bag and sitting third on the log standings, they will be looking to build on the momentum and stay abreast of the leading pack.
Fixtures:
Today: AGAMA v FC Platinum (Wadzanai), CAPS United v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro), Hardrock v FC Hunters (Chahwanda), ZPC Kariba v MWOS (Nyamhunga)
Tomorrow: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Manica Diamonds (Baobab), Scottland v Simba Bhora (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Triangle United v TelOne (Gibbo).
