adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
IT must concern the CAPS United family that the Green Machine have never received a winner’s cheque in United States dollars since the multi-currency system was officially introduced in Zimbabwe in January 2009. CAPS United’s last success story in a major cup competition was when they beat Lengthens 2-1 in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final in 2008, but by then the greenback was being used on an ad hoc basis.
Now, as the Harare giants face How Mine in a Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow, there is a strong feeling among their fans that this could be their year to dust the cabinet shelves and, at least, place something that has value.
Already, CAPS United have the bragging rights after beating their opponents twice in league meetings this season, although their coach Taurai Mangwiro is fully aware that the semi-final clash will not be a stroll in the park.
Veteran How Mine defender Herbert Dick, on the other hand, was not mincing his words yesterday stating that CAPS United were lucky when they won the previous two league clashes this season.
The steely defender missed the league meetings and is now itching for a chance to lead his troops the same way he did against holders Dynamos at Rufaro in the quarter-finals.
Mangwiro said CAPS United should not continue gloating over their previous success against Chikurupati, who are the underdogs in this tie.
“We are not going in the match on past success, if anything we know that there is so much at stake this time around.
We would expect How Mine to come out fighting.
“We might have had some success in the past but this a new game. It’s a different competition and there is a ticket to the African Safari, there is the much-needed cash and individual accolades for players.
“So there is everything to play for,” said Mangwiro.
During their first league meeting at White City, CAPS United won 2-0 through goals from Hardlife Zvirekwi and Dominic Chungwa while a lone effort by Leonard Fiyado gave them three points from the National Sports Stadium last month.
For now the Green Machine are hopeful but caution is also the name of the game for Mangwiro because he remembers what Black Mambas did to them in the league on October 19 at Morris Depot.
“If we chose to go into the match and sit on past success, it could backfire on us.
So we are well aware that on Sunday we should be ready and would want to advance to the final,” he said.
In their last meeting with How Mine, Mangwiro elected to field players who had been largely sitting on the bench like goalkeeper Joram Muchambo, defender George Magariro, Tino Muskwe, Dominic Mukandi and Malawian midfielder Gerald Phiri.
Now the former Monomotapa United coach could be having a positive headache on his team selection for the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final as Tafadzwa Dube, Tendai Samanja, Ronald Pfumbidzai and Tapiwa Kumbuyani are ready for action.
“We have a large pool of players at CAPS United and I would not want to agree to the assertion that we used a second string side in the last match against How Mine,” said Mangwiro.
“If anything, player number one right up to player number 30 can a play role and it’s about grabbing an opportunity if it presents itself.
“I will not be having any headaches in assembling the team to face How Mine because I feel that whoever is selected to play would serve the team well.
“Yes, people may have their different views about the team selection but I am not worried about that.
What we promise the fans is that we will field the strongest possible team on Sunday.”
When the draw for the semi-final was held, CAPS United assistant coach Brenna Msiska revealed that he had a dream in which he saw his team playing in the final.
Mangwiro shares that vision.
“For now our main focus is on advancing to the next stage.
As a group, we believe we have what it takes and have a very strong say in our destiny in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“Lets us clear our next hurdle which happens to be How Mine and then we take it from there.
So what we have in our camp is a team that is oozing in confidence.
“Everyone seems to be having that self belief and there is stiff competition for places.
If you noticed during the training session, you could see that everybody is pumped up.
Everyone is raring to go,” said Mangwiro after their training session at the National Sports Stadium.
Since the inception of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, in 2011, CAPS United have been finding city rivals Dynamos the stumbling block but it was How Mine who knocked out DeMbare in this year’s quarterfinals.
How Mine’s Dick yesterday said he has not faced CAPS United in a long time and hopes that it’s their time to write a fairy tale in the knock-out competition.
A nomadic player who has seen duty with the Warriors and played in Poland, Dick said they were not even intimidated at facing CAPS United in their den.
“Everyone is okay in our team for now and we are ready.
CAPS United beat us the last time and I was unfortunate to miss those games.
“I would like to believe that they were lucky to win because sometimes in football you need a little bit of luck,” said Dick.
How Mine could be new in the Premiership but the squad boasts of some of the most experienced pair of legs from Dick, Gilbert Banda, Nqobile Mpala, Menard Mupera, Khumbulani Banda, Thembani Masuku and goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura.
“This has been a great year for me in the Mbada Diamonds Cup because in previous years at Chicken Inn, I was getting knocked out in the first or second round.
“For me it could be more than two years since I last played against CAPS and I am hoping to be selected and contribute positively,” Dick said.
One thing, though, remains.
Will the CAPS fans respond and paint the National Sports Stadium into a sea of green and white colours tomorrow now that the sponsors have pegged the cheapest ticket at US$1?
If this was a Dynamos game, you would be guaranteed at least 30 000 and will the real CAPS United fans respond and give this occasion the sights and sounds that it needs?
Online Reporter