Reliving the CAPS Utd of 2004

column (as I always have always done).
Your article last week about the Harare Derby filled me with memories.
I will not forget of the epic battles CAPS had with Dynamos both at the National Sports Stadium and in the cauldron of Rufaro and, as you mentioned in your article, the incredible 4-3 game against Highlanders at the National Sports Stadium with Kapini scoring a wonder goal.
Or beating Amazulu, who were the defending champions, 4-0, in our first game of the season to put us on a run that our supporters started calling us the 4×4 team!
The CAPS United team of 2004 was not a fluke, it was the result of meticulous planning, inclusive communication, passionate supporters and, may I also say it, some of the finest players that have graced a football field.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the loss we felt as a CAPS family and me, as Chairman, as I still do, of our three great players — Blessing, Shingi and Garry — three exceptional talents taken away too early, their loss will always be with me.
What this tragedy did for the CAPS family was to bring us closer together and to realise that football, yes it was a game, but more importantly it was about people, from the players, ex-players, staff, supporters and without them there would be no “beautiful” game.”
The CAPS United project that culminated in 2004 was started by Twine Phiri and myself, many years previously. The plan was built on a simple platform — focus on junior structures to bring talent from the young.
To this end we had teams from Under-10 to Under-18 playing in the Harare junior league. In fact, in 2003/2004 we were the champions, if I recall correctly, of all the junior leagues in the province.
This policy created a steady pool of players that came through the ranks into the first team
We then had to decide on a style of play that we thought would achieve success.
To this end we decided on a style that involved building attack, passing from the back.
We needed a stadium that would allow us to pass the ball.
This led to our breakthrough in 2003 of making the National Sports Stadium our base under a five- year deal.
The superb facilities, and also the space of the pitch, would allow us to play our game.
We knew being unbeatable at home would be our number one priority.
We had to find players who would allow us to play our style of football.
So, to name just a few, the hardman Laughter Chilembe at the back, partnered by Chephas Chimedza and David Sengu, a midfield controlled by our playmaker, Ian Bakala (whose deal we sealed after we drove to Zambia) with wide fast wingers like Raymond Undi and hard holding midfielders like Lloyd Chitembwe.
With strikers upfront such as Leonard Tsipa and Brian Badza and, of course not forgetting our Man Mountain in goal Energy Murambadoro, we became a unit.
In fact by 2004 out of 16 first team players we had 12 in the national squad or playing for their respective national teams.
We also had to then find coaches whom we felt would see through our style of play and that’s how Charles Mhlauri and Norman Mapeza came about.
Now, we had a  team of superb individuals and coaches who would help us not only play football buit also enjoy it.
We wanted to create a serious business that you must have fun and love doing, but we wanted one where we would be winners at the end of the day.
This was the team spirit we built
Furthermore, some of the most unseen important elements of our success were:
Success and cohesion within the CAPS United Executive, made up of myself, Willard Manyengavana, Ziyambi Ziyambi and Twine. We had each others’ backs and full support.
To ensure that the welfare of the players was attended to at all times, ranging from wages, bonuses, medical, camping facilities, sporting equipment of the highest standards. In fact, I can say that as early as 2003 CAPS United had become a fully professionally run football club. Farai Jere came in as team manager around that time.
And, the most important people, were our supporters. It cannot be emphasised enough how important our supporters were and are. In fact, it is them that we play for and it is them who pay their hard-earned money to watch us.
In 2004 , as I am sure it is now, the National Supporters executive was superb. We would have regular meeting, as much as once a week with them so that they understood the direction we as a club were taking.
We further more, as an executive, would in every town we played in meet representatives of the supporters in those towns, and have meeting with them sometimes lasting up to 2 hours while we discussed our beloved team. The team of 2004 and the teams that came before and after represent one of the best loved football clubs, with what I regard, as the best supporters in Zimbabwe.
It is a team that will always be a part of me and through your paper and comments I can follow it and the entire football scene in Zimbabwe, I thank you for that.
CAPS United will again taste the recent success of 2004 and 2005, I have no doubt about that.
Long live CAPS United Football Club.
Andy Hodges
Former Chairman
CAPS United Football Club