adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Taurayi Mangwiro has recommended two names to the club’s new board as the Green Machine hunts for an assistant coach to replace Saul Chaminuka. Chaminuka left the Green Machine last month to join newly-promoted side ZPC Kariba. But with CAPS United set to begin their pre-season training next Wednesday, Mangwiro, who was given the green-light to choose his own assistant, said he had identified at least two candidates and had already seconded the names to the board for interviews.
Mangwiro is currently on holiday in Masvingo.
“I made my recommendations to the board but the individuals haven’t been called for interviews yet. So I will not divulge the names because of that reason,” said Mangwiro.
CAPS United will be looking to continue from where they left off last year when they finished fifth in the league, besides reaching the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals.
Mangwiro denied reports linking him with a move away from the Green Machine and pledged his loyalty to the club again this season.
The coach also praised Chaminuka for his contribution since joining the club from Buffaloes at the halfway stage of the season and wished him well.
“I am giving Saul (Chaminuka) all my blessings as he moves on to another club. I am also thankful for the value he added to this team. It was a pleasure working with such an experienced person as him,” he said.
CAPS United, who dissolved all structures during the off-season, have appointed Luis Maio as their team manager ahead of the new season. Maio replaces Gideon Mubayi, who had served the club for the most part of the second half of the season in 2013.
Makepekepe are aiming to continue with their project from where they left off last season but they have a big challenge as contracts of most of their senior players have expired.
However, Mangwiro said he had managed to get assurances from the players whose contracts are due for renewal that they will be back in the Green Machine colours this season. CAPS United are not looking to be heavily involved on the market but they will be out in search of a striker to beef-up their attacking force.
“Our intention is to retain the squad as it was last season. But I think the only player that we have lost is George Magariro who is now at How Mine.
“I have talked to the likes of Tawanda Nyamandwe, Tafadzwa Dube, Arnold Chivheya and Tawanda Munyanduri and they committed themselves to the team.
“Samanja has had enquiries from other clubs but he indicated that he is staying put,” said Mangwiro.
“So we will make one or two additions.
“We want a defensive midfielder for cover and if you saw from our general play last season, we lacked a prolific goalscorer. So we also need a good striker.
“We have a very good defence and a creative midfield and I would like to believe that we didn’t convert our chances as much as we could have.
“So that’s another area we need to work on,” said Mangwiro.
Online Reporter