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Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United defender Bruce Kangwa feels the Green Machine can turn out to be one of the most competitive teams in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League this season if everyone thrives to reach their peak.
Makepekepe have one of the strongest squads, at least on paper, but started the term by dropping two points when settling for a 1-1 draw at GreenFuel last Saturday.
The Harare giants did get what should have been the winning goal when Joseph Mbollo brilliantly shrugged off his marker and turned in a low shot, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
But that, said Kangwa, will matter less as CAPS United need to pick the right momentum early in the race.
The positive vibes running at the club have given the former Highlanders more reason to believe the Green Machine will get to punch well this term.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Almighty God for guiding us throughout our pre-season. It’s a new season now, a new different ball game, new players, and new tactics.
“So, we, as CAPS United, know what it takes; we know what the coaches want; and as players, we are working out to get to the required groove,’’ Kangwa said.
“Everyone is training hard. Everyone is giving it their all. So far, so good. Everyone is pushing hard. We are chilling out so well. Everyone is taking everything that the coach is giving us, and we, as players, all players, are pushing the new players, and they are doing the same.
“We’re pushing each other as senior players, pushing the newcomers. You know, when you’re in the field of play, there’s nothing like big or small. You have to push, according to what the coach is giving us.
“We have to push the team, push yourself to get to know your goals, what you want. As a team, you know what you want. So, we are pushing each other.
“As for us, you know now, as we have new players, everyone is looking upon us, so we as players and the technical team are pushing very hard to work on whatever comes our way.”
CAPS United face newboys Scottland, where two of their best players from last season, Godknows Murwira and Kingsley Mureremba, have gone, at Rufaro on Sunday.
Scottland are walking with a spring in their step after beating Triangle 1-0 in their opening game at the same venue last Friday.
But for Kangwa, all that doesn’t matter, as Makepekepe are looking at nothing less than picking the maximum points.
“So now we have played our game against GreenFuel. It’s now under the bridge. We are looking forward to our next game against Scottland, everyone is working so hard for our next game; we are pushing.
“We know what we are coming up against, Scottland. We know they have good players. But we have good players too, so we are working hard, and at the end of the day, only God knows what will happen, but we will push for a win.
With everything looking good for CAPS United, they have also sought to galvanise their technical team by roping in former Bulawayo City and Arenel Movers coach Farai Tawachera.
He is coming in as a replacement for the late Nelson Matongorere, who died last year.
Tawachera is excited about the development and has described his boss, Lloyd Chitembwe, as a good teacher.
“Lloyd Chitembwe is a good teacher. I’ve known him for a long time. We have been sharing a lot of information in terms of our coaching careers, but what I’ve experienced on the pitch is a good teacher, a very good teacher, a father figure. He makes you feel comfortable; he puts you there.
“He doesn’t believe in saying, “I’m the head coach. I’m the head coach.
“He gives you a chance to say, “Look, give me your input. Give me your idea. What do you think? What should we do? So consultative. So that makes my stay easy. I’m enjoying it,” said Tawachera.
He reckons that CAPS United have a strongly assembled team capable of winning any game.
“I think, if I’m looking at what we have got here, and if we put our heads together and everyone works extra hard, I think we are within reach to get the challenge. We can really challenge anyone for anything.
“If you look at what we have got in terms of quality, honestly, we have got a very big chance of getting to the top if we really push for what we want. CAPS United is a big team; it’s different from small clubs. Small clubs just try to hang in there. But here is a big brand.
“Here’s a challenge to us as technical teams; it’s a challenge to the players. Our fans want to see us doing good things, of which we endeavour to go there. We want to be somewhere better than what we’ve done in the past.”
While they may have ground out a win over Triangle, Scottland knows that the first real test of life in the Premiership begins with a clash against one of the league’s traditional Big Three — CAPS United.
Online Reporter