Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United president Farai Jere has credited coach Takesure Chiragwi for transforming the Green Machine into a force which is good enough to be still among the leading pack even after winning just once in their last eight Castle Lager Premiership games.
Makepekepe have endured a lengthy dry spell since their 3-2 win over ZPC Kariba on June 7.
Yet, the storm hasn’t blown them away completely, as the Chiragwi side are still well in the hunt for the championship.
With 33 points under their belt, CAPS United are just seven points off leaders Scottland after 19 games.
And Jere commended Chiragwi for the remarkable solidity he built in the early stages of the marathon, which even the strongest of winds have failed to collapse.
“We are still up there. That means Takesure Chiragwi has done a remarkable job.
“We need to thank him. If it was any other time, after winning just once in eight games, we would be languishing down there, fighting relegation,” said Jere.
“We could have been taking out calculators, doing permutations after a tough period like this.
“But look, we are still talking about winning the championship because a remarkable job has been done. The team on top is only seven points ahead of us.
“When there are other people on top, they should not think that they will win the championship, we are going to win the championship.
“We are bullish and not apologetic about it. We have everything that we need to win the championship.
“I have to make it clear; we have the resources and everything to win the league.
“That is the reason we are still up there.”
Jere said the club was largely affected by the injuries to some of their key players including Obriel Chirinda and Alleny Mukombedzi.
While the pair has now recovered and back at training, CAPS United have also now registered their Congolese striker Chris Mugalu.
The latter has been training with the club since March after arriving back from his country a bit late due to security issues.
Makepekepe have also signed Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko from Jwaneng Galaxy, Malawian midfielder Uchizi Vunga from Silver Strikers, who arrived in the country yesterday afternoon; and defender Precious Phiri from FC Platinum.
“We are working on our problems, and we are very happy and comfortable with where we are right now. Look at where they are even after going through such a rough patch.
“It actually sends shivers to everyone who understands football just to see a team that has gone through such a rough period to be where we are.
“I can see that there is a team at the top leading by seven points, but that’s not much in football. We are not even losing sleep over that; we are concentrating on our problems. And the league is ours, and this one I am not mincing my words,” added Jere.
“I want to tell our fans that we understand your frustrations with where we are given the way we started. But all this was caused by injuries to our key players. We have worked on it.”
