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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was scratching his head in the opening weekend of the Premier Soccer League last week.
He will be scratching his head again going into Match Day 2 of the marathon.
But it’s for contrasting reasons.
The veteran gaffer’s didn’t have the full complement of their squad when trooping into the GreenFuel Arena last Saturday.
Makepekepe played well in that fixture, which ended in a 1-1 draw, though, and should have taken maximum points back to the capital had Joseph Mbollo’s goal not controversially been disallowed.
But they still missed the leadership from Captain Eric Manokore and his second-in-command Hastings Chapusha.
New recruits, including the highly-rated Juan Mutudza, who is arguably the best ball-carrier in the league, and striker Nyasha Chintuli, also sat out that game as their papers were still being processed.
And Chitembwe has all his guns ready for combat when they play newcomers Scottland at Rufaro on Sunday.
Chitembwe will be spoilt for choice with so many quality players up for selection in this tie.
It’s a game that has so much at stake, and a huge crowd is expected to attend the showdown.
“This time around, we are happy to announce that we have a full complement of the squad.
“Last week we didn’t have Juan Mutudza, Nyasha Chintuli, Eric Manokore, and Hastings Chapusha in the team.
“So far so good; we are very happy with the way we started our campaign. I am extremely happy with how the boys responded in Chisumbanje against GreenFuel,” said Chitembwe.
“I think with a bit of luck we could have won the game; unfortunately, we had a goal disallowed.”
There will be no easy games this season, and Chitembwe acknowledges Scottland will be a tough opponent.
The Mabvuku team boasts of an array of stars, including Walter Musona, Khama Billiat, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Peter Muduhwa, Godknows Murwira, and Sadney Urikhob, among others, after spending well over US$150,000 in the transfer market.
They opened their season with a 1-0 win over Triangle at Rufaro last week, but the crowd was very much against them as they seem to be one of the most “hated” teams in the capital.
Makepekepe can capitalize on that and try to also outdo their opponents in the field of play.
“I think our next opponent, Scottland, are a very good side; they have seasoned players. So it’s not in the name of the football club but what is within that football club. So when we look at the composition of the team, they have seasoned players, and we are expecting a very tough competition because when you talk of the Scottland squad, you are talking of the players that have been there and have done it in the past,” added Chitembwe.
“So I think at the end of the day it’s all about how we compete, and I strongly believe this time around we have a strong squad that is capable of competing at this level.” Chitembwe was flanked by Manokore and Kundayi Benyu, who echoed their mentor’s sentiments.
Said Manokore, “The expectations are the same. We will go out there to compete. Scottland have a good team, good players who can compete. But at the end of the day, we need to do better than what they would have done. We need the three points on Sunday.”
Fixtures
Today: Yadah v Chicken Inn (The Heart Stadium)
Tomorrow: Herentals v Dynamos (Rufaro), ZPC Kariba v Simba Bhora (Nyamhunga), TelOne v Triangle (Ascot Stadium), Ngezi Platinum v Greenfuel (Baobab), FC Platinum v Manica Diamonds (Mandava), and Bikita Minerals v MWOS (Sakubva).
Sunday: CAPS United v Scottland (Rufaro), Highlanders v Kwekwe United (Barbourfields)
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