No solution in sight for CAPS United

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter

CAPS United will go into another match without adequately preparing for it, again.

It’s now three months without the players getting their salaries.

They have boycotted training and they have threatened to snub matches, but nothing has come out of it. Makepekepe play Herentals in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow but they risk getting into that match without adequately preparing for it.

The players, for the umpteenth time, didn’t report for training yesterday.

They are demanding their dues at a time when chief executive, Charlie Jones, is reported to have promised the monies would be paid on Tuesday.

Jones wasn’t picking calls yesterday but players who spoke to The Herald yesterday said they could be forced to boycott their weekend’s match against Herentals.

“It’s not a small matter. The leadership has taken us for a ride for a long time. What I can only tell you is that the boys are now planning to boycott the match against Herentals.

“We have been patient, maybe too patient with the administration. They are good at promises but then delivers nothing. The situation is now out of control. It’s either they pay us or we boycott the match,” one of the players said.

“We have been professional enough. We have respected them, we have been a listening lot and we don’t deserve this treatment.

“We have refused to train. Imagine we arrived in the capital well after 1am on Monday after travelling just after the match against Highlanders from Bulawayo. Then they asked us to train on Tuesday and without paying us…”

Makepekepe players also refused to train ahead of their match against Highlanders last week.

They didn’t show up at their training venue for most of the week before they decided to train on Friday.

They also took to the pitch on Saturday before they travelled to Bulawayo.

And their lack of match fitness was brutally exposed by Bosso in a 2-1 loss last Sunday.

And they could also be up for the high-jump against the Students who are enjoying a purple patch in the league.

But before Makepekepe fans can see what happens tomorrow, Highlanders will continue with their push for a top four finish when they play Yadah at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.

The Bulawayo giants know a top four finish is attainable and they will be willing to go for the offensive against Yadah to enhance their chances of a strong finish.

Yadah have been doing well of late but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to perform well without their coach Genesis Mangombe.

Mangombe is expected to be absent as he is coaching the police side who will be participating in a regional tournament.

“My players are good enough and my assistants are also good enough.

“Whether I am in or out, they will be giving it their all. We need to win matches to enhance our survival chances,” said Mangombe.

“We have been dogged by injuries this season but now we are beginning to have recoveries and we will be looking forward to winning these games.”

Fixtures

Today

Yadah v Highlanders (NSS)

Tomorrow

Cranborne Bullets v Whahwa (Vengere)

Chicken Inn v Ngezi (Luveve)

CAPS Utd v Herentals (NSS)