adminKawondera signed a one-year contract with the Green Machine and CAPS United manager, Sean Connor, yesterday said they were likely to unleash their new weapon after successfully registering him with the PSL.
CAPS United chief executive, Maxwell Mironga, confirmed that the registration process had sailed through after they acquired the International Transfer Cerificate.
The 29-year old forward last played in the league in early 2000s before moving to Europe where he played in Poland and Cyprus.
“I have been training hard for the past weeks and right now I feel I am in a great shape. I am very fit and ready to give everything to help CAPS United achieve their targets,” said Kawondera.
“It feels good to be playing again and I want to thank Lloyd Chitembwe and Sean Connor for taking me on board. I made the right decision to join this club because
CAPS United are a good team with sound management.
“I have no doubt this team has the capacity to win trophies and my wish is to stay fit and contribute something tangible to see CAPS United winning everything on offer this year.”
Kawondera will join strikers Evans Gwekwerere, Washington Pakamisa and Clive Kawinga to widen the options for the technical team.
Connor was excited by the prospect of having Kawondera in his line up this afternoon.
“He has been training with us for a couple of weeks and has impressed me with his attitude. Obviously his technical ability is very, very good and I think he will
definitely add something to our squad, experience and good quality in the box,” said Connor.
However, the Green Machine camp was hit by sad news following the death of Clive Kawinga’s father this week.
“We are obviously going to look into that but the boy wants to play. Hopefully he plays and scores a goal in honour of his father and that would be a good gesture,” said Connor.
The Northern Irish coach yesterday said besides the injured Marvel Samaneka and Edmore Chafungamoyo, who misses the match through suspension, he has a full complement at his disposal.
CAPS, who had a bad start to their campaign, have been on a revival path recently after going unbeaten in their last five games.
Connor said it was important that they win against Black Mambas this afternoon to set the stage for their high-profile showdown against Highlanders at Barbourfields this Sunday.
But they will not overlook the threat posed by Mambas, who are coming from a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Gunners last weekend.
Connor lamented the disruptions they have encountered in the last two months because of the national team assignments and said they affect the team’s momentum.
“It’s a bit frustrating. We had two weeks without a game, played one and we don’t play again the other week.
“Back in Europe, players in European competitions still have to play their league fixtures the following week.
“They may be delayed by a day or two but games are not cancelled for that.
“It’s hard for your planning because we are trying to plan five or six weeks in advance and then you don’t play because there are no games. It’s difficult to keep the players,” said Connor.
CAPS United are currently seventh on the log standings with 18 points from 11 starts while Mambas have been going through difficult times until last week when they got only their second win in 12 outings.
The police side, who currently occupy third place from bottom, severed ties with nomadic coach Moses Chunga last week after a run of poor results and thrust John
Ncube back at the helm.
They will be looking up to their experienced players such as Nicholas Alifandika, Kasimero Chimbadzwa and Sebastian Mutizirwa. Harare giants Dynamos will be hunting for maximum points when they meet struggling newcomers Quelaton at Luveve this afternoon.
DeMbare hope to banish memories of last Sunday’s uninspiring show against Interclube of Angola when they were held to a goalless draw in the Confederation Cup group stage playoffs.
New Quelaton coach, Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube, who has been given the mandate to turn things around, will be hoping for a better outing in only his third game in charge.
Ncube took over from Farai Sibanda, who had been in charge of the team since the sacking of Thulani Sibanda.
Another exciting tie is expected when log leaders Highlanders face tricky Gunners at Lafarge this afternoon.
Bosso are unbeaten in 11 games but have been going through a dip in form after drawing their last three games.
Fixtures
Today
Quelaton v Dynamos (Luveve), Gunners v Highlanders (Lafarge) CAPS United v Black Mambas (Rufaro), Blue Rangers v Buffaloes (Gwanzura), FC Platinum v Hardbody (Mandava),
Tomorrow
Motor Action v Shabanie Mine (Motor Action Sports Club), Chicken Inn v Monomotapa (Luveve), Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro)
Week 14
Saturday
Black Mambas v Quelaton (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Motor Action (Luveve),
Sunday
Highlanders v CAPS United (Barbourfields), Hwange v Gunners (Colliery), Dynamos v Blue Rangers (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Harare City (Maglas), Buffaloes v FC Platinum (Sakubva), Monomotapa v Hardbody (Gwanzura)
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