admincoming from a good 2-1 win away at How Mine in their last game.
New striker Dominic Chiungwa, who is expected to be a big success, and Hardlife Zvirekwi scored in that match, which was preceded by a disappointing home defeat to Buffaloes.
However, Mangwiro yesterday said their victory in Bulawayo was a big morale booster and would want his charges to get positive results more regularly to sustain the winning mentality.
The Green Machine have also collected maximum points against Black Rhinos and Motor Action in-between the losses to Harare City in their first game of the season and Buffaloes recently.
And Mangwiro, who returned to the game last week after his Asiagate suspension was lifted by Zifa, yesterday paid a glowing tribute to his assistant Brenna Msiska and challenged the players to continue with their winning form.
“We are demanding consistency. It’s what we need in the team. If we can have back-to-back victories and then take it from there I am sure it will augur well for us,” he said.
“I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues Baba Gari (Brenna Msiska), even Mkhupali Masuku, and the rest of the technical team. They have done a decent job in assembling a competitive side.
“There is unity and if you look at the players during training you can actually see that we are one happy family. But it would now need positive results for us to cement that, so that we may remain a united front.
“This year our priority is to bring back stability to the club. If you can look back, you will see that it has been several years now since CAPS United launched a formidable challenge. And for us to say we would want to win the championship outright I am sure we will be putting ourselves under pressure.
“Let’s look at our next five assignments and after that we will have a clear picture of what the season holds for us.
“Of course it’s every coach’s dream to win the championship but a top four finish will be ideal for us. We don’t want to put ourselves under a lot of pressure.
“So far we seem to be heading in the right direction. To me it’s a decent start. Nine points out of a possible 15 is not a bad run,” said Mangwiro.
CAPS United are currently fifth on the log table with nine points.
Their preparations for the match against Mambas took a knock this week following the injury to key forward Rahman Kutsanzira who is now doubtful for tomorrow’s game.
On a positive note, the Harare giants welcomed Tendai Samanja and long-term casualty Tawanda Munyanduri back at training and it appears the defender has shaken off the injury.
However, Mangwiro said Kutsanzira’s chances of recovery ahead of the game are very slim while the medical team is also keeping a keen eye on leftback Ronald Pfumbidzai.
Makepekepe will also miss key players Hardlife Zvirekwi and Tawanda Nyamandwe who have been called to the national team for the international friendly match against Zambia on Sunday.
The Green Machine will only underrate Mambas at their own peril as the police side has made a promising start to sit on third position on the log table with three victories, a draw and one loss.
Mambas are a point better than CAPS United after five starts.
However, the police side will miss midfielder Nicholas Alifandika and striker Last Chibwiro due to the national team commitment in Zambia.
“They (Mambas) have given a decent account of themselves and the fact that they won their last encounter also means that they will be pumped up when we play them.
“So we expect a tough battle. Mambas have proved over the years to be a bogey side for CAPS United but I would want to believe that we have an edge over them,” Mangwiro said.
Their Harare rivals Dynamos will be on the road seeking their first win of the season when they travel to Zvishavane to face newcomers Tripple B at Mandava on Sunday.
The defending champions have only managed five draws in as many games, in a disappointing start to the new campaign, and are currently 12th on the log standings.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa and his technical team are under pressure to turn things around.
The match was moved from Dalibadzimu because of security concerns since the venue cannot accommodate more than 2 000 fans at once.
Dynamos will have to do without defensive linkman Devon Chafa and defender Augustine Mbara who have been included in the Warriors squad to travel to Zambia.
Fixtures
Tomorrow
FC Platinum v Triangle (Mandava), CAPS United v Black Mambas (Gwanzura), Harare City v How Mine (Rufaro), Motor Action v Buffaloes (Motor Action Sports Club)
Sunday
Tripple B v Dynamos (Mandava), Monomotapa v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery)
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