Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IAN Bakala has sweet memories of the National Sports Stadium from the days he was a CAPS United player in 2004.
It is at the giant venue where Bakala and his teammates were crowned champions that year after recording a record 79 points.
They lost just one game in 30 matches.
It is at this facility where the former Zambia midfielder sparkled and eventually landed the Soccer Star runner-up prize. Bakala has been in the country, first as the head coach of CAPS United, since last year, before being the second-in-command to Takesure Chiragwi this year.
But he has never taken the Makepekepe troops to the National Sports Stadium, which has been closed for almost three years, for renovations.
With Chiragwi away in England with the Warriors, Bakala will be the man in charge when CAPS United face Scottland in a league match that will officially mark the re-opening of the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Green Machine will be out to consolidate their lead at the top as they are fully aware that Scottland will dislodge them from the top if they lose.
But it is the prospect of playing at the giant stadium which is exciting Balaka the most. “There are a lot of memories in that stadium where I think the team is always making history at that stadium and it’s the first game after I think for some years and I think the players are motivated to play at the National Sports Stadium.
“It’s been long and we hope that they’re going to bring what they’re doing in training. It’s a challenge to them, I think everyone wants to see them play according to what the club carries and they are going to deliver.
“I’ve got no doubts looking at the performance, though.”
Yet the Green Machine are struggling in front of goal, although they have been flawless across the field.
They were blunt in their last match against FC Platinum at Rufaro last week despite fashioning out several clear-cut chances but failed to put the ball at the back of the net.
In the end, they endured a frustrating draw. Bakala has been busy the entire week trying to address those flaws with the Zambian gaffer yesterday expressing optimism his charges will get it right against Scottland.
“I think the preparations are going on well. We just have to focus. I think we need it more given where we are and where we are coming from.
“We are practicing. We are doing everything but scoring is proving difficult. I think we have been scoring one or two goals every game. I think in this game we have to score more than two goals. “The players are pushing. I think, looking at the last two games, we have been creating chances but failing to score. I think the players are focused now, they know what is at stake.”
Makepekepe top the log standings with 28 points after 14 games, one above second-placed Hardrock and three above their opponents on Sunday.
This will be the second match that Bakala will take charge of CAPS United, without his boss Chiragwi, after he held the fort in the Monday clash against FC Platinum.
