Hodges backs Chitembwe

Chipo Sabeta Senior Reporter
BANKER Andy Hodges, who was named CAPS United board chairman while he was still based in Malaysia, has thrown his weight behind coach Lloyd Chitembwe despite the challenges the Green Machine have faced in their defence of their league title.

Hodges led the Green Machine to the league championship in 2004 and is now back home. He has been attending all the Green Machine matches in the capital. “I think the club must have faith in him because he has proved his qualities and the coach has given us a great deal,’’ he said.

“He won the league and surely, one can’t just take off the credit from him. I know it was not an easy road breaking records and leaving a mark in the CAF Champions League.

“We must be in a position to trust a coach who has delivered so much. We are in a position to trust a group of players who have delivered in the last couple of seasons and motivate them.

“As things stand, we are in a position to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel and therein lies our confidence that we can get out of the situation considering the positive result against ZPC Kariba.

“In my view, our team is not bad. The coaches are not bad as well. I am of the position that when a club identifies such coaches, they need further exposure and grooming.

“They must be attached to a bigger club, even in Europe to learn and get more knowledge. It’s a way of building their confidence and also upgrading their skills.

“We did that with Charles Mhlauri and one cannot dispute that he is one of the finest coaches from our land.’’ Hodges said Makepekepe needed to strengthen their defence.

“One thing I will always emphasise is the fact that we need to invest in juniors. We managed to survive the 2001-03 era because we had juniors.

“That’s when we promoted players like David Sengu, Leonard Tsipa, and the late Blessing Makunike among others.

“We also cushioned the team with a few signings like Laughter Chilembe but the core of the team were CAPS United juniors.

“There is a big difference in buying and grooming your own players, yet the trend is completely the opposite these days.’’

CAPS United travel to Bulawayo for a date against win-less Tsholotsho in a league match tomorrow.