admin
Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United striker Leonard Tsipa is relieved to learn that the red card he was given against ZPC Kariba in the Chibuku Super Cup will not apply in the next league match.
He has vowed to put in extra effort to atone for that disappointing defeat when they meet Flame Lily in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Larfage on Saturday.
The veteran striker has since publicly apologised to the CAPS United family as well as ZPC Kariba defender Dennis Dauda whom he badly tackled during the match.
He was sent off by referee Nomore Masundire in the 62nd minute.
With a chance to redeem himself presented early, Tsipa wants to make amends and help his team fight for the survival of their under-fire technical team.
The technical team, led by Mark Mathe, has been given a two-match ultimatum to deliver or face the axe.
Yesterday, Tsipa said he was relieved to learn that the red card would not apply in the league matches.
“If I am selected in the team, I would like to work hard and give 150 percent effort and help the club get three points,” said Tsipa.
“We badly need the three points so that we keep pressure on the teams that are on top, but we can only do that if we continue to get maximum points consistently.
“I regret the weekend incident and it is a relief that the card is not affecting the league matches and here is another opportunity for me to do well for my club and my teammates.
“I have since apologised to everyone and soon after the game I went to the ZPC Kariba dressing room and said sorry to Dauda. It was a bad tackle and I quickly realised what I had done was wrong.
“I am really sorry and I would want to do well in my next match and repay that debt.”
The former Dynamos forward said it was key that the team works hard and try to win the next two matches.
“We need to fight for the coaches, from the beginning we were together and they were giving us guidance till this stage,” said Tsipa.
“So for them to survive we need to keep winning matches and help them survive at the club.
“We are getting used to each other, the old players and the new players, and we are looking forward to winning matches.”
Tsipa, who has scored two goals, said he was not worried as he has managed to create a lot of goals.
“It is not just about scoring. Yes, as a striker you need to score but if you are winning it is okay and so far I have created many goals for CAPS United,” he said.
Meanwhile, Harare City assistant coach, Witness Munkuli, says the absence of the defensive midfield pair of James Jam and Tendai Samanja, will not destabilise the team ahead of the league match against Dongo Sawmill tomorrow at Rufaro.
Jam is serving the last match suspension for the red card he got during the match against Chicken Inn.
Samanja, who got three yellow cards, is suspended for this match.
Also suspended is Martin Vengesayi.
Sunshine Boys skipper David Kutyauripo, who has been ruled out for, at least six weeks, with an injury, will also miss the match against the bottom-placed team.
“The changes will not affect the team’s shape as we work and train as a team. When we played against CAPS United James was not there, serving the first match of his suspension, and now Tendai won’t be there as well.
“But we have replacements such as Raymond Uchena and Learnmore Muyambo and we will play our normal game.
“There would be changes in the team because our last match was a Cup game and now we are going to play a league match and also because of injuries there would be some changes.
“But we are taking it like any other game and Dongo are not a small team as they are in the Premiership and anything can happen,” said Munkuli.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Harare City v Dongo Sawmill (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Chapungu (Luveve), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Tsholotsho v Triangle (White City), Flame Lily v CAPS United (Lafarge).
Sunday: Whawha v Buffaloes (Ascot), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields )
Online Reporter