adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro says he was outclassed technically on Sunday, resulting in the heavy 0-4 humiliation at the hands of Highlanders at Barbourfields. Bosso were under the guidance of assistant coach, Mark Mathe, with Kelvin Kaindu away in England for a graduation ceremony after completing a high-level coaching course.
“We just didn’t come to the party and the early goal unsettled us as we never recovered. As the technical team we were outwitted, we didn’t have technical answers,” said Mangwiro.
“It’s a battle lost, but it is still game on.
“Going into the Highlanders match, we thought we had learnt something. We made three changes from the team which played during mid-week against Triangle and it kind of back-fired on us.
“Initially, we wanted to make five changes to the team. We were outplayed and it just wasn’t our day.”
Mangwiro apologised to the Green Machine family.
“We are sorry to the CAPS United family, we didn’t want to lose. But we are now looking forward to the Black Rhinos game,” said the gaffer.
“I don’t want a blame game on players, if anything, I should shoulder all the blame and not the players.
“I still believe this year’s league championship is stronger than last year but we have to be stronger and we need time.”
Mangwiro said he was disappointed when he failed to retain some of his best players last season because of financial challenges.
“Players like Rahman (Kutsanzira), we had them in our books last season, he left a bitter man and yesterday (Sunday) had a good show and wanted to make a statement,” said Mangwiro.
“We had said let’s retain these players because we didn’t doubt their capability. If you look at ZPC Kariba, it is the same story, the players who left us came back to haunt us.
“By losing these players we would be strengthening the opponent. Unfortunately, we didn’t have resources to retain them and we have to make do with what we have.”
The coach said his mission remained to win the championship despite the demolition in Bulawayo.
“The season is still in its infancy, even if you look at the log winning one game we are up there. We would want to be up there with other teams and we will bounce back.
“It is only in two games that we have played second fiddle and other matches we were on top of the situation.
“Let’s hope we have drawn some lessons from Highlanders on what conversion means otherwise I don’t think we are a bad team,” he said.
Mangwiro also saluted Bosso.
“If what I saw is anything to go by, then they are a force to reckon with. If only they can maintain that throughout the season then they can be a force to reckon with.”
Fixtures
Friday: Harare City v Triangle United (Rufaro Stadium,3pm SuperSport).
Saturday: CAPS United v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium, 3pm SuperSport); Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve); Chiredzi v Chapungu (Chishamiso);
Sunday: ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Gwanzura Stadium, 3pm SuperSport); Shabanie Mine v Dynamos (Maglas); Buffaloes v FC Platinum (Sakubva); Hwange v Bantu Rovers (Colliery).
Online Reporter