adminCurtworth Masango
LLOYD CHITEMBWE says the Harare Derby, just like a huge part of the domestic Premiership, has CHANGED.
However, he still expects his struggling CAPS United charges to have a positive mindset in their latest showdown against Dynamos, at the National Sports Stadium, on Sunday.
The Green Machine are going into the match on a five-match losing streak.
“A lot has been said about these derbies but I want to believe both sets of players are ready,” said Chitembwe.
“Things have, obviously, changed, there is no way you can compare Moses Chunga to recent players.
“It’s very unfair to compare Joel Shambo to these players of today but I think they are trying their best.
“Things have really changed but it’s important to focus on the game.
“These games are decided by two mental elements. If you go and play without courage, and you play without the right kind of personality, I am sure you will obviously struggle.
“Those two elements are very key.”
He added:
“I am talking of courage, I am talking of the players taking the initiative to want to do things.
“It takes bravery, it takes a lot of courage, when I am talking of personality, I am simply talking about the application, these games need attitude, these games need very cool heads.
“The players need to have the right kind of patience, it requires players to have the right kind of commitment on how they apply the technical, and tactical, strategies.
“I just hope we will have plenty of these come Sunday and they will give us the edge.”
He said CAPS United have been to hell and now want to come back home.
“I think there are a lot of good things I have observed in these players,” the coach said.
“We have gone through a hell of a phase and you can’t really blame anyone within the football club.
“We tend to exaggerate some of these things but it’s normal. When your mind is not there it’s very difficult to apply yourself in football.
“If you are not there spiritually it will be difficult to make it.
“People don’t have to blame these boys, in any case you give the responsibilities to the coach.
“Deep down, I know why we are not winning but going to this game the boys are buzzing and the guys are good to go.”
Striker Rodwell Chinyengetere said they were focused on winning the match.
“We have been giving it our all although the results were not coming.
“It’s a derby and a big game. We will give it our all.
“It’s a totally different game you are going to witness. Losing five games is now water under the bridge. “Winning three points will be a good boost for us.”
Online Reporter