HARARE giants CAPS United will be desperate to put a turbulent week off the pitch behind them with a solid performance when they face city rivals Harare City in what should be an emotionally charged Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
A win for the Green Machine will surely boost the morale in the camp ahead of another potentially explosive Harare derby against struggling archenemies Dynamos in their next fixture.
The CAPS United family was thrown into disarray last week following the much, publicised arrest of club captain Mwanjali and star midfielder Archford Gutu following an alleged brawl that resulted in the stabbing of a Harare man Tonderai Nhunzvi.
Mwanjali has been in remand prison since Tuesday last week after his High Court bail application hearing which was scheduled for Friday was postponed to tomorrow.
On the other hand, Gutu, who is facing charges of malicious damage to property for allegedly smashing the rear wind screen of Nhunzvi’s car, is out on bail, but will not be part of the Makepekepe team for the Harare derby.
While admitting that the nasty sideshow may have initially taken its toll on the players when the news broke out, CAPS coach Lloyd Chitembwe said it had not been difficult for the team to maintain focus and they were geared up for today’s clash.
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“It has not been difficult at all because we are talking of professional football players who understand what it means to be a footballer. They all earn a living out of playing the game of football so they know how to react to this kind of situations,” he said.
“Obviously, I expected them to be very disappointed with what happened after the first and second day, but thereafter, they have been concentrating on what they are expected to do, which is train hard and try and get a result.”
Turning his focus on today’s encounter, he said his charges would be aiming to collect maximum points regardless of their poor previous record against Harare City.
CAPS, who have collected four points from their first two league matches thus far, managed just a single point in their two league matches against City last season.
Last month the Green Machine also lost to the Sunshine Boys in the Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield quarterfinals after conceding a last-minute equaliser before losing the tie after a penalty shootout.
Chitembwe, however, seemed to downplay his team’s recent poor record against Harare City.
“History is meant for the archives, it’s no longer important,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to give relevance to something which happened two, three months ago because the situation is completely different.
“All the teams in the league are difficult to play against and Harare City are no exception, so obviously it won’t be an easy game, but I think we have done enough as far as preparing to get a result is concerned.”
CAPS United will welcome back veteran striker Leonard Tsipa, who missed their draw away to Ngezi Platinum Stars in their previous league encounter.
Meanwhile, Harare City will look to tap into the inside knowledge of their coaching staff as they go in search of another win against CAPS United.
Harare City head coach Taurai Mangwiro, his assistants Mike Madzivanyika and Mkhuphali Masuku, as well as goalkeepers’ coach Richard Tswatswa, were all at CAPS United before crossing to Harare City.
The Sunshine Boys will, however, be without the duo of James Jam and Tanaka Ruzvidzo due to injuries.
