admin
Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Taurayi Mangwiro has urged his team to build on their momentum when they clash with Shabanie Mine in a tricky away fixture at Maglas this afternoon. The Harare giants, though, are likely to be without defender Stephen Makatuka and Ronald Pfumbidzai who refused to travel to Zvishavane because the club owes them some money. Mangwiro will not be available on the bench this afternoon, as he is currently attending a Caf A Licence coaching course in Harare. The coach has confidence in his lieutenants Mike Madzivanyika and Richard Tswatswa who previously proved themselves when they beat Chicken Inn 2-1 away at Luveve.
“We are looking at getting a positive result at Shabanie Mine to stay within touching distance of the leading pack.
“It’s important to remain up there and chances are that if we win tomorrow’s (today’s) match we may go top of the table. “So everyone is focused. We don’t want to be carried away by the two wins in succession that we posted recently. If anything we are challenging our players to push even harder.
“We know Shabanie Mine and what they are capable of doing especially at their backyard. Our away record this season hasn’t been up to scratch, so we would need to take them on,” said Mangwiro.
CAPS United crushed Chiredzi 3-0 in their last league outing before routing Chapungu by the same scoreline in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro on Sunday.
Striker Dominic Chungwa, who was taken out with a groin injury in the match against Chiredzi, is still to recover fully and has been joined in the sidelines by midfielder Charles Mukanhairi who is suspended for this match.
CAPS United defender David Chipala and new signing Honey Chimutimunzeve are also likely to miss the match through injuries. Shabanie Mine are experiencing a lean spell and have not won a match in their last seven competitive matches.
Their coach John Phiri is under extreme pressure to turn things around, especially in the wake of their elimination from the Chibuku Super Cup at the hands of Highlanders on Sunday and the 3-0 drubbing by ZPC Kariba in their last league match.
Phiri has some good players in his line-up who include Wellington Kamudyariwa, Xolani Ncube, Godknows Murwira, Allan Tavarwisa, veterans Rowan Nenzou and Zvenyika Makonese.
ZPC Kariba, who are still unbeaten in the league competition, are set to face their most difficult test this afternoon when they face Chapungu at Ascot.
Chapungu have a proud home record as they have literally turned their home ground into a fortress. An exciting double header is also on the cards at Hartsfield Grounds in Bulawayo this afternoon where Bantu Rovers host Harare City before making way for How Mine and Buffaloes.
Fixtures
Today
Chapungu v ZPC Kariba (Ascot), Black Rhinos v FC Platinum (Rimuka), Bantu Rovers v Harare City (Hartsfield Grounds, 1:00pm) How Mine v Buffaloes (Hartsfield Grounds, 3:00pm), Chiredzi v Chicken Inn (Chishamiso), Shabanie v CAPS United (Maglas)
Tomorrow
Dynamos v Hwange (Gwanzura), Highlanders v Triangle (Hartsfield Grounds)
Online Reporter