malvernmugadzikwa
Langton Nyakwenda
THE late Zexie Manatsa was a famous musician, who was also a favourite among football fans.
He penned several hits, including the popular “Tea Hobvu”. However, he also churned out tribute songs for the country’s Big Three football clubs — Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United.
“Tamirireiko (Dynamos igowese)” is still a favourite for DeMbare fans, just as much as “iBhola seliphelile iHighlander iwinile” is still popular with Bosso supporters. Yet these songs were released in the 1980s.
“Makepekepe Shaisa Mufaro” was a dedication to the CAPS United side of the 1980s, which swept all cup competitions, earning the nickname “Cup Kings”.
Makepekepe won big trophies such as the ZIFA Cup, Castle Cup, Rosebowl and Chibuku.
“Makepekepe Shaisa Mufaro” is a song that reminds Makepekepe fans how great this side was back in the day.
It is a song that also reminds the current crop of CAPS United players of the legacy left by yesteryear heroes like Shacky “Mr Goals” Tauro, Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma and Joel “Jubilee” Shambo.
That is why the current players have been listening to this song a lot these days.
“It’s a song that motivates us to give our all for the club because CAPS United are a giant with a rich history,” says skipper Godknows Murwira.
Maybe it explains the sudden change of fortune for Lloyd Chitembwe’s CAPS United, who have won their last two consecutive league games and have also booked a place in the Chibuku Super Cup quarterfinal.
The transformation began three weeks ago, just before Makepekepe hosted FC Platinum in a league match at Rufaro Stadium on August 4.
Before this fixture, CAPS United had gone for five games without registering a win.
This prompted club owner Farai Jere to address the players.
“The whole week prior to the game against FC Platinum, I was talking to the players.
“I called in nine senior players and the technical team and spoke to them for about three hours.
“I then went to the training session and I addressed the full team,” revealed Jere.
The CAPS United boss reminded his employees about the need to respect the club’s badge.
He assured them they would soon turn the corner.
“I even challenged those boys to listen to the song ‘Makepekepe Shaisa Mufaro’, a song dedicated to the great CAPS United of the 1980s.
“I said to them, you need to know the legacy left by our fallen heroes,” says Jere.
CAPS United went on to beat FC Platinum 1-0, before defying the odds by beating ZPC Kariba with the same scoreline at Nyamhunga Stadium, a very difficult place to get maximum points.
Makepekepe also edged Bikita Minerals 1-0 at Sakubva Stadium last weekend to clinch a quarterfinal berth in the Chibuku Super Cup.
“If you listen to the music coming from the players’ cars these days, chances are high you will hear the song ‘Shaisa Mufaro’.
“They are enjoying the song. This is how we managed to motivate the players, and I can assure you morale is high at Makepekepe,” added Jere.
Manatsa, who died in 2022 at the age of 78, is also remembered for hosting a massive wedding.
He wedded his longtime partner Stella in front of about 60 000 fans at Rufaro Stadium on August 25, 1979, in what was dubbed the “Wedding of the Year”.
Coincidentally, CAPS United host Manica Diamonds at the same venue, on the same date, this afternoon.
Manica Diamonds limp into Rufaro without a win in nine games.
Jairos Tapera’s men have faded out of the championship race and look like they are there for the taking for a rejuvenated CAPS United.
Makepekepe have been rising steadily on the log and now find themselves just a point behind rivals Dynamos, who are on 31.
“We have to demonstrate that we are a big team,” declares Jere.
“It pains us to hear people give us tags like former giants or faded giants. If you look at the last 10 years, CAPS United have done very well under Chitembwe.
“In 2016, we won the championship and the following year, we reached the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
“In 2019, we lost the championship on the last day.
“So, people are quick to forget; as CAPS United, we have not been bad at all,” reckons Jere.
However, Makepekepe have struggled in the last two seasons.
At some point, they looked like a team headed for relegation.
Some disappointed fans called for Chitembwe’s head.
But Jere has stuck to his guns when it comes to Chitembwe’s future.
“We have got the best coach in the country; that is given,” reiterated Jere on Friday.
“We have the best talent, but what the players needed was that motivation, especially the conditioning of their minds. We spoke to them and re-emphasised what it means to play for CAPS United.
“And I am very happy the boys responded well.
“We inculcated that fighting spirit in them; we told them that when you play for CAPS United, you are like a soldier who is at the forefront in the battlefield.”
Senior players like skipper Murwira, Ralph Kawondera, Bruce Kangwa, Lot Chiwunga and top scorer William Manondo have been instrumental.
Manondo is the joint top scorer in the league with 10 goals.
Junior Bunjira and Kingsley Mureremba have brought in the youthful vibrancy in a side that comprises a number of veterans.
CAPS United’s revival has left Jere bragging.
“We have actually gone past our financial crisis, and I tell you it’s going to be very difficult to beat us.
“The material we have at hand has the pedigree. The players needed some motivation; they needed to have some character and some conditioning, which we managed to do.”
CAPS United and Manica Diamonds have met seven times in the league.
They are even on the head-to-head record. They have three wins each, while one contest ended in a draw.
The reverse fixture ended 1-0 in favour of the Gem Boys, who, however, have failed to beat Makepekepe in Harare since gaining promotion into the topflight in 2019.
PSL Fixtures
Today
Bitika Minerals v FC Platinum
CAPS United v Manica Diamonds
Chegutu Pirates v Yadah
Chicken Inn v Highlanders
TelOne v Dynamos (Postponed)
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