Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United captain Richard Hachiro has recovered from the injury that sidelined him for the past three weeks and is eager to help his side maintain their resurgence when they host Simba Bhora in the open ing round of the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro tomorrow.
Hachiro had been noticeably absent from the starting line-up in recent fixtures against TelOne, Highlanders and the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 against Scottland Academy.
The midfielder last featured on July 23 in a Castle Lager Premiership match against FC Hunters. He has since returned to full training and is available for selection ahead of the knock-out tournament.
However, it was not immediately clear if coach Takesure Chiragwi would thrust his captain straight back into action, considering the team has kept good shape in his absence.
Hachiro knows he has to fight for his place back into the team.
“I’m just here to do what I know best, to play the game whenever I’m given the chance and to support my teammates whenever we play, whenever we train and everything that we do,” he told Zimpapers Sport after yesterday’s training session.
“I’m a team player; I’m not different from others. Yes, there are things that maybe one can be, but we are all the same; we are here to play football.”
Hachiro was impressed by the yards being put into the Chibuku Super Cup preparations.
“Everything is going well. Everyone is motivated, and everyone is giving his best. We are just hoping to give our best in this coming game,” said Hachiro.
The Green Machine have elevated the Chibuku Super Cup and the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup to the top of their priorities after losing ground in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race.
After experiencing a mid-season slump, Makepekepe appear to have rediscovered their spark, beginning with a 4-2 victory over Highlanders before hammering lower-division side Scottland Academy 6-0 in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup last week.
Hachiro believes the emphatic wins provided a timely confidence boost.
“Yeah, all we wanted in that game was a win, and that was what we got. We are happy with that, and we are motivated, especially with how we converted our chances,” said Hachiro.
But Simba Bhora will be a different kind of opposition.
“We are just going to take this game like the other games; we are taking it seriously. We are going to give our best as always.
“Yes, we are aware, and we know that it’s not going to be an easy game, but we are ready, and we are prepared for it,” said Hachiro.
Despite their pedigree, the Chibuku Super Cup has largely proved elusive for CAPS United since its inception in 2014.
Their best performance came in 2023 when they reached the semi-finals before losing 2-0 to arch-rivals Dynamos.
Last year, Makepekepe suffered a first-round exit at the hands of MWOS.
However, their coach Chiragwi believes the recent scoring spree has contributed to growing confidence within the squad, after scoring 10 goals in their last two matches.
“I think our preparations have been going very well and also the guys are looking very sharp, especially coming from that win against Scottland Academy,” said Chiragwi.
“They are also showing a lot of confidence in terms of scoring because I think that was one of our weaknesses during the past few games that we have played.
“But as of now, I think even in training these guys are enjoying their play; they are enjoying their scoring, and they are looking very hungry every day at training.
“But cup games are very tricky and difficult to play because at the end of the day there must be one winner.
“It’s not easy, but we just need to prepare very well. As the technical team, we are very grateful for the way the guys are responding to training,” said Chiragwi.
Chibuku Super Cup First Round Fixtures:
Today: Scottland v FC Platinum (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: MWOS v Agama (Ngoni), CAPS United v Simba Bhora (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v ZPC Kariba (Baobab)
Sunday: Dynamos v TelOne (Rufaro), Hardrock v Bulawayo Chiefs (Chahwanda), Herentals v FC Hunters (Ngoni), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields).
