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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
IN-FORM CAPS UNITED defender Steven Makatuka is putting his team’s hopes of a good finish to the season by clinching the Easycall Cup when his side first clash with Hwange in the quarter-finals at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The hard-tackling defender said their game against Hwange will not be an easy encounter but they will try hard to progress to the semi-finals.
CAPS United are enjoying a fine run since the arrival of coach Lloyd Chitembwe but will have a stern test against a wounded Chipangano, who have been doing well on the road.
Makepekepe were knocked out of the other cup game — the Chibuku Super Cup — by ZPC Kariba in the first round through a penalty shoot-out but will be out to avoid another early exit from the Easycall Cup against Hwange on Saturday.
The Harare Giants have managed to collect four points from their opponents in the league this season where they were first held to a goalless draw at home before winning 1-0 away at the Colliery through a solitary Dominic Chungwa strike.
Chipangano, on the other hand, are getting more positive results on the road unlike at home which will see them travelling to the capital with their tails up.
Hwange suffered a 0-1 defeat to relegation threatened Tsholotsho in a league match at their own backyard last weekend but may put all that behind in this cup game against CAPS United.
CAPS United are, however, in buoyant mood after they came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw against their bitter rivals Dynamos in the Harare derby at the weekend.
Makatuka, who is enjoying some good form, said their preparations for this Saturday’s Cup game against Hwange are going on well and they will give it their best shot in this match.
“The boys are training hard and it is a must-win game for us as we need our supporters to have something to smile about.
“Hwange is not an easy opponent especially away from home but we will do our best to come out with a positive result.
“Everyone is working hard for the encounter as we cannot manage to lose this game. We need something to make our players happy by the end of the season and we will do our best to win the match and progress to the next round.
Makatuka said they will not be carried away by their recent form but will focus on the game at hand.
“We will not be carried away by the current form we are enjoying but work hard to win the match.
“It will be three games only to clinch the Cup and we will not be happy to crash out in the first round like what we did in the Chibuku Super Cup.
“Hwange is a good side, we will treat them with respect but we are determined to give them a good run for their money on Saturday,” added Makatuka.
Hwange have also been struggling in Cup games, having been knocked out 2-0 by Chicken Inn in the Chibuku Super Cup back in August.
And maybe that defeat will give them the desire to progress to the next round of the Easycall Cup which has $80 000 as the first prize money.
Easycall Cup quarter-final fixtures:
Saturday: CAPS United v Hwange (National Sports Stadium), ZPC Karibav Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga)
Sunday: FC Platinum v Highlanders (Mandava), Dynamos v How Mine (Rufaro)
Online Reporter