adminDon Makanyanga
IN as far as debuts go, Luke Masomere couldn’t have hoped for better opponents than Caps United for his newly promoted side Manica Diamonds.
The veteran gaffer believes the former league champions will provide his charges with a true stern test of character when the two sides meet at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
The self-proclaimed Doctor of Football said they are going into the match as underdogs, but looking for a positive result.
“We are ready for the season but playing Caps United on your first day in the top flight will be a real test of character,” said Masomere.
“Caps United have been here before and they have corrected their mistakes from the previous seasons.
“This is will be our first match, at this level, and we really do not know ourselves and we haven’t corrected anything.“It is a big test for us and not an easy one at that.
‘However, as a coach you do not plan to lose; the better team of the day is going to win on Sunday (today),” he said.
Despite assembling a strong squad on paper in the the off-season; during the newboys acquired more than fifteen experienced players, Masomere is playing down his team’s prowess.
“As a coach you will see differently from what other people will see. I say we assembled good players from different clubs and we need time to come up with the right combinations.
“It is a really difficult job at first but with time you will realize how much of a formidable squad we have.
“This year is our learning year, but what I can promise is that we are here to stay,” he said.
Caps United are out to start on a positive note as they seek to reclaim the title they last won in 2016.
“We have targets and goals which we want to achieve in the 2019 season and we are guided by the club’s vision. “We need to have a good start to the season by collecting maximum points,” said Caps United technical director Nigel Matongorere.
Meanwhile, Triangle and Ngezi Platinum Stars square off at Gibbo with both coaches clamouring for consistency.
Erol Akbay who was appointed Ngezi Platinum Stars coach in December last year, and tasked with winning the Premiership title this year, believes the only way to achieve his set target is to win every game.
“We want to win something this year and that means every game is a very critical game for us whether we are playing at home or away it doesn’t matter, we have to win.
“Winning our first match will give us confidence,” said Akbay.
Triangle FC coach Taurai Mangwiro is also singing the same tune insisting that the only way to win the league title is through consistency from day one.
“We are fancying our chances of winning the championship just like anyone else, and of course we need to be consistent. We have to improve our home record if we are to be there, at the top, competing for the league title.
“This starts on Sunday (today) when we play Ngezi in our first 2019 Premier League match,” said Mangwiro.
Online Reporter