admincoaches, should not expect any favours from Monoz when the two sides meet in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro on Sunday.
Monomotapa coach Taurai Mangwiro also believes CAPS United go into the match with a slight advantage but he is bracing for an exciting clash.
CAPS United coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe and his assistant, Rodwell Dhlakama, were once in charge of Monomotapa before handing over the reins to Mangwiro.
The Green Machine have also raided Monoz for Charles Chiutsa, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Lucky Simango, Tendai Samanja and Tawanda Munyanduri.
Midfielder Asani Nhongo and defender Nyasha Mukumbi have also played for Monomotapa before joining CAPS United.
“It looks like CAPS United know a lot about us because they have more than six players who have been at Monomotapa.
“In addition, CAPS United also have two former Monomotapa coaches on their side.
“But we are looking forward to the reunion with former coaches and players.
“It will be a pleasure to meet with the former colleagues but now at different fronts,” said Mangwiro.
Mangwiro said Monoz have been rebuilding and have since shaken off their tag of being draw specialists.
“We lost players but we still have a team in place. We are wary of CAPS because they are a good side.
“I watched them playing against Dynamos and it was unfortunate that they could not bag the game but that is what happens in football,” said Mangwiro.
Mangwiro believes the players who have remained at Monomotapa are eager to impress and would want to give their former teammates a good run for their money.
“In terms of names, yes, CAPS United have the big names but it’s also an opportunity for some of the players who had to live in the shadows of those who left to shine.
“We are coming from a win and this is chance for our youngsters to shine.
“This should be an exciting game,” said Mangwiro.
Monoz have Russel Madamombe, Morgan Mungombe, Hillary Mugoniwa, Makai Kawashi and goalkeeper Tapiwa Mafunga who could come to the party.
While Mangwiro is taking a cautious approach to the game, CAPS United believe they could be plunging into a storm.
Jongwe believes Monomotapa are the ones coming into the match with an advantage.
“I was a coach at Monomotapa before and I would like to believe that the players there know my tactics. We also have former Monomotapa players on our side but it’s Monoz who have a slight advantage because of this knowledge,” said Jongwe.
He said a lot had change since he left Monoz last year but he remains hopeful that he will be able to register his first win.
Since taking over from Moses Chunga, Jongwe and his lieutenants – Dhlakama, Alois Bunjira and Richard Tswatswa – are yet to register a victory.
The foursome have presided over two defeats against Gunners and Dynamos.
“We have signed new players and definitely we are going to off-load some.
“At the moment we have not finalised on the players to be released because the chief executive officer still has to find clubs for some of them as they are our players.
“But all the players have been working hard and I do not think it has been on the basis of the fear of being off-loaded.”
Yesterday, striker Evans Gwekwerere sat out during the training session at the National Sports Stadium and is all but doubtful for the game on Sunday.
“On Evans, we have to get what the doctor says. It’s going to be a tight match but I am a little worried by our failure to convert chances than about conceding goals.
“But the encouraging thing is that we are creating chances,” said Jongwe.
CAPS United have been slapped with a US$3 500 fine following the violent behaviour of their fans who caused the abandonment of their Castle Lager Premiership tie against Gunners at Rufaro on July 17.
CAPS United pleaded guilty and had US$500 suspended for the rest of the season on condition that the club is not convicted of a similar offence. The US$3 000 fine should be paid by August 31 and Gunners were given the tie on a 3-0 scoreline.
The PSL disciplinary committee of Vusi Vuma, Don Moyo and Brighton Mudzamiri found CAPS United guilty after their supporters threw missiles on the field.
The tie ended prematurely in the 68th minute as CAPS United were trailing 2-0 and had been reduced to nine-men.
CAPS chief executive Maxwell Mironga said they have increased security for their home matches.
“After the game against Gunners, we have trained our marshals and security personnel.
“We will be deploying marshals, and some of them in plain clothes among the fans so that they will be able to pick out and arrest hooligans.
“As a club, we are taking a very strong stance against hooliganism and that is whey even during our game against Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium, we had deployed more than 30 marshals,” said Mironga.
Fixtures
Tomorrow (BancABC Sup8r Cup)
Dynamos v Motor Action (Rufaro)
Sunday (Castle Lager Premiership)
FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Masvingo (Luveve), CAPS v Monomotapa (Rufaro), Zim Saints v Highlanders (BF), Black Mambas v Gunners (Morris Depot), Shooting Stars v Shabanie (Sakubva).
Online Reporter