Caps United face test of their progress

By Augustine Hwata

HARARE – CAPS United will get a true test to see where they stand after an off-season of turmoil when they battle for the right to win the NetOne Charity Shield in a two-day football festival at Mandava.

The Green Machine has battled boardroom upheaval, with vice-president Farai Jere leaving in a huff and a number of seasoned players and coach Mkhupali Masuku also jumping ship.

Last week, they paraded a host of new players, including a lot of greenhorns, who charmed their fans with a 2-0 win over Black Rhinos to win the Zimbabwe National Army Commander’s Charity Cup at Rufaro, courtesy of goals by Ronald Pfumbidzai and Leonard Fiyado.

But Rhinos, who are coming back into the Premiership, were so poor on the day it would be fatal to make any judgments based on beating them and, today, CAPS United will face a proper opponent, FC Platinum, in their backyard and get a good assessment of where they stand.

Skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani is confident that his troops will be getting their second winners’ medals, from as many pre-season competitions in Zvishavane this weekend.

At one time, Khumbuyani was off-loaded alongside Shingi Kawondera, Nqobile Mpala, Itai Chiwara, Asani Nhongo, Luckson Kaisa and Washington Pakamisa before the captain apologised and was accepted back into the team.

CAPS United will meet FC Platinum in the second semi-final at Mandava today after Monomotapa and Chicken Inn’s clash in the opening match of the day expected to be broadcast on Supersport 9.

Winners from today’s matches will clash in the final of the US$300 000 competition tomorrow with Khumbuyani hopeful that CAPS United will be there in the final, after upsetting the bullish hosts, and take more steps towards recapturing their glory days as Cup Kings.

“At the moment, morale is very high in our camp because we just won our first silverware of the season. Getting the silverware was a huge boost to our confidence as we go into the NetOne Charity Shield. It’s too early to make any judgments on our team yet but I know that we have a good crop of youngsters who are willing to learn.”

CAPS United legend Brenna Msiska has been overseeing the preparations and has recruited young Takudzwa Mahori, Pfumbidzai and Cameroon international, Eric Fotamipotalla, to boost his team this season.

Khumbuyani, who is one of the most senior players in the green brigade, feels CAPS United are at peace with themselves as they face FC Platinum.

Last season, CAPS United completed back-to-back victories over the country’s richest football club whom they thumped 3-1 at the National Sports Stadium, in Northern Irishman Sean Connor’s finest hour in charge of the Green Machine, and then 2-0 at Mandava.

Midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira scored a brace at the giant stadium but, since then, he has battled for form and if he finds his feet, he could be a very key man for the Green Machine.

Pakamisa, who is now at Dynamos, weighed in with another goal at the National Sports Stadium before goals from Nhongo and Fiyado insured that CAPS United completed a double.

“I do not think that they would be any pressure on us. FC Platinum are playing at their home ground and should be feeling more of the pressure,” said Khumbuyani.

“But CAPS United will not be unsettled because I believe we should be able get our fair share of supporters from across Zimbabwe.”

A former Warriors right-back, Khumbuyani said his teammates have helped him to focus on his game after he had been deemed excess baggage at the club.

“I do not have any pressure to perform, but will play my normal game. At the moment I believe in my teammates and know that we should work together,” he said.

While Khumbuyani is hoping to earn his second pre-season winners’ medal, new FC Platinum coach Tennant Chilumba is also looking at making a positive impression in his first competitive match since he crossed the floor from fellow miners Hwange.

The Zambian coach said the NetOne Charity Shield has presented him with an opportunity to assess his squad before the regular Castle Lager Premiership season.

“It will not be necessarily a chance to prove myself but it is every coach’s desire to have a silverware and also to leave a legacy,” said Chilumba.

“ I believe I have what it takes and we are taking this competition seriously to help us gauge our strength, depth and speed.

“So this is good for us, as we can see that all teams are busy beefing up their squads.” FC Platinum camped in Kariba and also toured Zambia as part of their preparations while CAPS United, who traditionally did their off-season preparations outside Harare or across the borders, were at home throughout as they battled to balance their books.

Last week, Kugona Kunenge Kudada played neighbours Shabanie Mine in a Cephas Msipa Charity Match at Mandava.

But the match of the day could be semi-final clash between Monomotapa and Chicken Inn at 1:30pm.

Both Chicken Inn and Monoz held their own to finish among the top four in the league last season.

Monoz coach assistant coach, Nkululeko Dhlamini, has already promised an entertaining brand of football from his team and believes that the NetOne Charity Shield presents them with an opportunity to assess their squad.

At least 12 players left Monomotapa at the end of last season but the 2008 champions have recruited a number of new players, among them Nicholas Guyo, who rose to prominence by getting a call to the Warriors squad that played Botswana.

Chicken Inn are praying that the NetOne Charity Shield will be their first silverware since they started playing in the elite league three seasons ago.

Now under coach Mandla Mpofu, the Gamecox have lost Syndey Linyama, Walter Mukanga, Ntokozo Tshuma and Namuli Mpakati while they have retained utility player Tabani Goredema and captain Felix Chidzungwe and Kuda Mahachi.

“This is our first competitive tournament and we are looking forward to it as it will help us gauge ourselves for the coming season. Also, we know that we need to get a Cup this season so this is the opportunity that we would like to grab. We reckon we are playing one of the best teams in the league in the name of Monomotapa who have also played in the Champions League before. So it is a marathon not a joke,” Mpofu.

The big cats, Dynamos and Highlanders, are away, after failing to garner enough votes to make it, and you feel, in their absence, the mice can have some time to play. It should be a carnival atmosphere at Mandava and the stadium is set to be packed to capacity.

Fixtures

Monomotapa v Chicken Inn (1.30pm)

FC Platinum v CAPS United (3pm)