adminCaroline Magenga Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe international Thomas Sweswe has given his thumbs up to CAPS United for appointing Mark Harrison as coach. The arrival of the Englishman to the Premiership giants was met with mixed reactions among the Makepekepe fans.
Harrison was unveiled on Wednesday and the new coach finds himself with a big task to bring healing within the fractious club in their quest to end a decade of barrenness.
However, the appointment of the nomadic coach who has had stints with several South African clubs in the last four years, has been met with mixed reactions from former players and fans.
The 54-year old, who is a former Southampton goalkeeper and former coach at South African sides Golden Arrows, Back Leopards and Mpumalanga Black Aces, was unveiled with Fungai Kwashi, and Brenna Msiska.
Sweswe who worked under Harrison at Black Leopards hailed the Briton saying if given the best working conditions he was likely to deliver results for the team.
“I worked with him and he is a very good coach, I rate him highly . . . I think he can improve that team big time.
“His strength is that he is a good motivator, and he will make you believe that you’re the best and in addition he is a good tactician, even his methods are good provided CAPS will complement with the good players and facilities.
“I am actually happy that he came at the right time to help improve CAPS and Zimbabwe football overall because he has the skill to improve our level of football and provided management will provide the best working conditions he can deliver trust me,” said Sweswe.
Former CAPS United forward Alois Bunjira also applauded the move by the club of including former players in their set up and reckoned that Harrison could bring “a welcome change to the club.
“I am happy with the coaching team unveiled particularly the inclusion of Kwashi and Msiska, for a while now the sons have been calling for a former player who has an understanding of the club and green blood and now with this line up I believe the sons have been appeased.
“As for Harrison, he has the credentials and fine qualifications and for now all I can say in regards to his appointment is that we just hope he will be able to bring back the glory days to the club, that’s all we want at the end of the day,” said Bunjira.
Former defender Carlos Max while applauding the appointment of ex- CAPS players felt the appointment of Harrison was a strange development given the club’s precarious financial position.
“Yes, his (Harrison) credentials are good and he seems to have a lot of experience that should be able to allow him to deal with the players but it seems rather strange to me that the club can afford to pay a foreigner when just last season they failed to pay the team, how will they afford a foreign coach.
“I just don’t understand how they plan to pay him when they are even failing to pay the players, it all seems strange.
“As for the assistants, well I think that’s the best decision CAPS has done in a long time, appointing one of their own who really has the club background and history, if anything it was a long overdue move that I think will enhance the performance of the team,” said Max.
A number of fans also lauded the decision to include former players in the coaching department but some expressed reservations about Harrison’s arrival and took to social media to express their opinions.
“My only worry is . . . looking at Harrison’s history . . . Why was he changing clubs (as a coach) every year?,” posted KidKid Mats on one of the club’s fan pages.
“Why Harrison guys? Do you know how he dumped Golden Arrows when they wanted him most . . . worse recently Black Leopards, I don’t hate him, but I am not convinced.
“He will dump you during a league match that one, mark my words!” said Godfrey Mbandure.
“This is the time to follow your father’s footsteps Kwashi, wish you all the best,” wrote Frank Matienga.
“On Kwashi and Brenna, big up President, we the fans are happy that’s what CAPS is made up of . . . we want more of our own sons,” said Jonathan Muto.
“Twine Phiri needs rabies treatment,” added one Isaac Kazunga.
Several soccer personalities including Dynamos skipper Murape Murape, Butler Masango, Clifford Muparutsa, Mpumelelo Dzowa, Kelvin Mushambi, Richard Choruma, Edward Sadomba and Clyde Musiya chose to restrict their sentiments to congratulating Kwashi on his appointment as assistant.
Online Reporter