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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United have been boosted by the return of skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi to lead his troops in battle tomorrow when they face Harare City in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro.
Zvirekwi had been a doubtful starter after picking up an ankle injury in training last week.
The injury ruled him out of the trip to Mozambique last week where his side picked a morale-boosting 2-1 win over their hosts Changale de Tete. The Zimbabwe international yesterday trained with the rest of his teammates without showing any signs of discomfort.
Zvirekwi said CAPS United were not expecting an easy outing against the Sunshine Boys who are now being led by their former coach Taurai Mangwiro.
The side also has a number of former Makepekepe players like Tafadzwa Dube, Tendai Samanja, Nicholas Alifandika and Honey Chimutimunzeve who followed Mangwiro when he crossed the floor at the beginning of the season.
“It’s great coming up against those guys again. We are all excited and you can see that everyone is fighting for his place in the team. It looks like the players have something to prove,” said Zvirekwi.
The Green Machine will be playing under their new coach Mark Mathe who was recently elevated to replace Mark Harrison.
The Englishman left to join Botswana outfit Township Rollers during the Premiership break.
Team manager Shakespeare Chinogwenya yesterday said the Green Machine were expecting a full strength squad, thanks to the Premiership break which allowed most of their players time to shake off knocks.
“We are looking forward to a full team. We are still hoping for the best,” said Chinogwenya.
Harare City also welcomed the break as Francisco Zekumbawire, Hebron Makukutu and Talent Chawapihwa had been struggling with knocks.
Harare City continued with their preparations yesterday as they moved to the match venue to prepare their players for the battle on the artificial turf.
Makepekepe were keen to have at least one training session on the venue, but they could not as Dynamos, who host Highlanders on Sunday at the same venue and Harare City had already made their bookings. Efforts to move to the ZIFA Village yesterday were also futile.
“Many teams struggle when they come to Rufaro, especially those who are not used to the artificial turf,” said Chinogwenya.
“It’s a different surface altogether especially if you train and play most of your games on grass. We had wanted to train at the venue so that some of our new boys get to feel what it is like to play there.
“However, we will have to do with what we have. We are looking forward to some positive play from the guys.”
Fixtures
Tomorrow: FC Platinum v Buffaloes (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Dongo Sawmill (Luveve), Harare City v CAPS United (Rufaro)
Sunday: Dynamos v Highlanders (Rufaro), Whawha v Chapungu (Ascot), How Mine v Hwange (Luveve), Triangle v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo), Tsholotsho v Flame Lily (White City)
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