Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE buildup to a blockbuster clash between defending champions Scottland and log leaders CAPS United started a little more than a month ago.
Makepekepe owner Farai Jere threw the first punch ahead of his club’s showdown against Highlanders, which was played at Barbourfields on April 26.
Three days before that epic clash, Jere revealed that he was raising winning bonuses by 100 percent, from the usual US$500 to US$1 000.
When asked why, Jere appeared to take a jibe at Scottland, albeit covertly.
“When you are playing against the big teams in the league, we are looking at Highlanders and Dynamos,” he said.
“Yes, we are increasing our bonuses, we want our boys, we need their A game.”
Jere appeared to ignore Scottland as an emerging football giant, despite the Mabvuku side winning a historic championship in their maiden top-flight season. Mabviravira became only the first side after Black Rhinos in 1984 to win a top-flight championship on their debut.
Stung by Jere’s remarks, Scottland owner Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya responded on the “Mabviravira Football Show” a few days later.
It got even more interesting when Sakupwanya declared that Makepekepe were now his club’s newest rivals.
“Chimbodyai henyu vese vamuri kudya, but pane renyu apo (You can beat those teams you are beating, but when we face you, you will not.)
“When he (Jere) said only Highlanders and Dynamos ndovanhu vandototya (only teams I fear), I said okay, what happened to you my brother (last season.)
“Why not put Scottland among the teams you fear? I used to say number eight, but I no longer want number eight, I want number one. For now, Scottland’s rivals are CAPS United,” thundered Sakupwanya on the football talk show that was aired four weeks ago.
When CAPS United played city rivals Dynamos on Matchday 11, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who is a renowned stakeholder at Scottland, dangled a bus for DeMbare, in the event they beat Makepekepe.
Dynamos failed to win, but ended up getting US$50 000 plus the luxury bus.
Although Chivayo’s pledge was prompted by a radio caller who supports Dynamos, his association with Scottland added some fuel to the growing rivalry between Mabviravira and CAPS United.
After all the banter, jibes, jabs and lyrical punches, the time to settle the score on the pitch has finally arrived.
Scottland will host CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon in a major highlight of Matchday 15.
The clash is an apt fixture for the reopening of the giant arena that had been closed for renovations. Scottland will catch up on points with log leaders CAPS United if they win.
Makepekepe will stretch the gap between them and their rivals to six points if they emerge victorious.
The Green Machine have 28 points from 14 games, three more than Mabviravira, going into Matchday 15.
While CAPS United have drawn their last three matches, Scottland have managed two wins and a draw, and have now closed the gap to just three points.
That gap was seven points a few matchdays ago. Perhaps the slight blemish to this epic clash could be the absence of CAPS United head coach Takesure Chiragwi, who is in England with the national team.
His assistant Ian Bakala will be in charge. It would have been interesting to witness the duel between a rising gaffer and a veteran coach, Norman Mapeza, who has won four league championships with two different teams.
Mapeza first won the league championship with Monomotapa in 2008, before getting more gold medals with FC Platinum in 2017, 2018 and 2022.
Chiragwi is a one-timer, having won the big trophy with Ngezi Platinum Stars in 2023. Both corners are under pressure going into this big match. They both want wins and have made their intentions clear. They both want to win the league championship come the end of the season.
“We are practising. We are doing everything, but scoring is proving difficult,” Bakala told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
CAPS United played a goalless draw against FC Platinum on Monday. This result came on the back of a 1-1 draw against 2024 champions Simba Bhora.
The other draw was against MWOS.
“The players are pushing,” added Bakala. “Looking at the last two games, we have been creating chances, but failing to score. I think the players are focused now, they know what is at stake.”
His opposite, Mapeza, is accustomed to such big battles. His CV speaks for itself. Mapeza won three league titles and several trophies with FC Platinum during a glamourous decade at Mandava that ended last year.
“Yes, it’s going to be a tough match, but as usual, we will do our best,” Mapeza said. “Credit to the boys; they have been pushing. Yeah, let’s see how it pans out.”
CAPS United could prove to be Mapeza’s biggest test since joining Scottland from FC Platinum. He has already faced Dynamos, Simba Bhora, MWOS and Hardrock, but the match against log leaders Makepekepe could be the real test. While Scottland captain Walter Musona has nothing but respect for Makepekepe’s rich history, he wants that respect to stop when the whistle blows.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting match. As a team we are ready and we are going to give it all on the field to make sure we win, but we are not underrating CAPS United,” said Musona.
“They are a big team in the history of Zimbabwean football, so we know what we are facing.”
Scottland defender, Kelvin Moyo, expects a contest worthy of its billing.
“It’s a big game between two teams with a lot of quality players,” said Moyo. “CAPS United are a big team and they started the season very well. “I think it’s a game of utilising your chances. It’s going to be exciting and we will give our best so that we get a positive result.”
The clash promises a lot. It will also be an exhibition of foreign talent the league has. Scottland could throw in Issaka Mohamed (Ghana), Kwakhe Twala (Eswatini) and Moses Shidolo of Namibia, while CAPS United have their own talented foreigners including midfielders Lloyd Njaliwa and Chawananga Kaonga.
Local players can also grab the opportunity and shoot to stardom in only 90 minutes.
Scottland have the likes of midfielder Emmanuel Ziocha, an exciting young talent from Mbare. CAPS United have Alleny Mukombedzi, a rising talent. He is capable of rising to big occasions.
Add the Musona brothers, Knowledge and Walter, to the mix, then you have an appetising fixture that could turn out to be the game of the season.
