Msiska calls for united CAPS

which has thrown coach Moses Chunga into confrontation with a militant section of the team’s fans.
Club owner Twine Phiri last night weighed into the debate, declaring his support for Chunga.
Phiri said he fully supported club director Farai Jere’s position to back the coach.
The Green Machine will battle against stubborn Premiership side Kiglon at Rufaro this afternoon.
The CAPS’ house has been on fire in recent weeks as a militant section of the club’s fans had turned against Chunga even before the recent slump in form.
The tricky relationship between the coach and a section of the club’s fans, who don’t believe in Chunga because of his Dynamos roots, has been strained following poor returns in their last four matches.
Yesterday, club director Farai Jere addressed the players at their training ground, challenging them to rise and shine, as CAPS United plot a way out of a hole.
“We talked to the players and told them that some of their performance, of late, has been unacceptable and we challenged them to raise their standards,” said Jere.
“We know what they can produce because they have done it before and we said everyone should play for the team and we expect a big improvement.
“We warned them that, if results don’t improve, they shouldn’t be surprised if they see us acting, during the transfer window, to bring in new players.
“The coach also knows what we want, in terms of results, and everything has been communicated to him and we expect a response, in terms of positive results, from our next game tomorrow (today).”
Jere said there was no justification for CAPS United’s sudden loss of form.
“We said the only explanation could possibly come from players who are not being paid but we have been paying their salaries, through their banks, on time and they are also back in camp for the next game,” said Jere.
“There is no stopping from now until we get it right and we know we have a team that has goals in it.”
Assistant coach Brenna Msiska, who played for the Green Machine, yesterday appealed for patience from the club’s supporters in the wake of violent incidents that rocked the 0-1 defeat to Hwange on Wednesday.
“The club is going through a lean spell and this is the time we should unite as a family.
“We are urging our fans to back the team and not to boo the players because it’s counter-productive.
“It affects the players and as a result confidence dries up.
“We are not playing badly at all but like any team we are going through difficult moments. The only problem is that we are not scoring goals and they will come if we all remain focused.
“The season is yet to reach the half-way stage and we have the potential to fight for honours if we unite,” said Msiska.
CAPS last tasted victory on April 30 when they beat Chicken Inn 1-0 to reclaim pole position in the log table but have gone on to lose three matches to Motor Action, Highlanders and Hwange.
Coupled with a 2-2 home draw against FC Platinum, Makepekepe have consequently dropped 11 points from a possible 12 in their last four matches.
Chunga, who suffered abuse in the club’s 1-0 defeat against Hwange at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday, will be hoping for a change of fortunes, at least to manage the damaged relations with some of the club’s fans.
CAPS United will pray that history will be on their side as they have dominated the meetings between the two sides since Kiglon came into the top-flight scene in 2008.
The clubs have clashed six times in league games and three of them ended in victory for the Green Machine.
But Kiglon are specialists, when it comes to beating the giants, and started their season with a 1-0 win over Dynamos at Rufaro.
Msiska revealed that they have a clean bill of health although goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda is unavailable through suspension.
Kiglon have only beaten Makepekepe once, with two of the matches ending in draws.
Last year, CAPS twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw courtesy of a brace from Last Chibwiro, the other goal being an 88th minute penalty.
However, assistant coach Patridge Muskwe is still confident of his side’s ability to beat CAPS United.
Muskwe said they were excited with the return of industrious midfielder Conrad Whitby who is available for selection after recovering from a slight knock that ruled him out of the 1-1 draw with Blue Ribbon during the midweek.
But striker William Manondo is ineligible for the tie as he starts to serve his suspension for the red card he was shown barely five minutes after he was introduced in the second half of the same match.
“We have many youngsters in our side and I don’t doubt their capabilities. In essence it’s a new side but we are all geared up for CAPS United.
“We have no injury worries to talk about and our fans should only expect entertaining football,” said Muskwe.
Dynamos have a tricky tie against Shooting Stars at Rufaro tomorrow where they hope to ease pressure by picking maximum points.
DeMbare, whose frontline has been misfiring this season, are reportedly eyeing a refurbishment of their dressing room following the subdued performance the team has displayed so far.
Word has been doing rounds for the past weeks that due to the lack of experienced lethal strikers within the team, Dynamos are eyeing the services of former international striker Gilbert Mushangazhike.
Mushangazhike has been inactive since last year when he left South African club Mpumalanga Black Aces and is needed to add impetus to a team that has seemingly plunged into a goal drought.
The Dynamos strikeforce has been blunt, having scored only eight times in three of the 10 matches they have played so far.
Mushangazhike could neither confirm nor deny that Dynamos approached him and he was set to join them.
“At the moment I cannot say anything about that. But if they needed my services I will gladly play for them as I still have the energy,” he said.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa said funds let them down at the beginning of the season when they wanted to sign some players.
“During the pre-season period I had Clive Kawinga, Eddie Chitato and Kudakwashe Musharu snatched from my face because of financial challenges.
“So at the moment I cannot cry that I need such and such a player, I have to make do with what I have.
“If you check Dynamos at the moment only George Magariro and Washington Arubi who were regulars for the team last year and the rest are fitting in the system.
“So for them to have experience they have to gain it by playing and I feel it is a matter of time before we get it right.”
Mutasa, refreshingly, remains hopeful.
“Every team goes through a bad patch but players can pick up form and Denver Mukamba made waves and he ended up being called to the National Under-23 side and the Warriors.
“It can also happen to Khumbula or Roderick Mutuma but it is us coaches who give experience by giving a chance to the players,” he said.
Mukamba is unlikely to play tomorrow, against Shooting Stars, because of a swollen cheek while David Kutyauripo might also not feature amid reports that he has fallen a victim of internal politics.
Kutyauripo is reported to have clashed with midfielder Vimbai Madamombe, who is a blue-eyed boy of the coaching staff, and is now paying a big price.
He did not play in the game against Shabanie.
But the rights to lead the race in the Premiership could change hands tomorrow when champions Motor Action travel to Bulawayo to face resurgent giants Highlanders at Barbourfields.
The Mighty Bulls lead the tables with 21 points.
But Highlanders could end up at the summit if they win the match as they are currently in second place on 20 points.
Fixtures
Today
Kiglon v CAPS United (Rufaro), Monomotapa v Black Mambas (Gwanzura)
Tomorrow
FC Platinum v Zimbabwe Saints (Maglas), Highlanders v Motor Action (Barbourfields), Masvingo United v Blue Ribbon (Mucheke), Dynamos v Shooting Stars (Rufaro), Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery)
Monday
Gunners v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro)

Team PWDLFAPts
Motor Action1063113321
Highlanders 1062213520
Chicken Inn1053214718
FC Platinum 10523161117
Zim Saints 10433121215
Masvingo 10433131415
CAPS Utd10 424181414
Blue Ribbon 1042411914
Dynamos 103438513
Hwange103439813
Kiglon 103439913
Monoz 1026291112
B/Mambas 1031681610
Shabanie 102356189
Gunners101458127
S/Stars102088216