Zimpapers Logo

Caps Utd coach Taurai Mangwiro

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
CAPS United captain Tapiwa Khumbuyani made his breakthrough into the Premiership while featuring for Chapungu.
But tomorrow the seasoned defender will not be looking at giving the Gweru side any favours when they clash in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro.Khumbuyani left Gweru in search of fame and, of course, a little fortune when he moved to Monomotapa in the capital and now he is one of the senior players at the Green Machine.

CAPS United were hammered 0-3 in the reverse fixture at Ascot in June, although the Harare side managed to gain a measure of revenge by winning 3-0 in the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro.

Goals from Ronald Pfumbidzai, Nicholas Alifandika and Honey Chimutimunzeve secured CAPS United a berth in the quarter-final but Khumbuyani is aware that Chapungu would be tricky opponents tomorrow.

The attendance figures at the Green Machine have been rising and it’s very likely that they will have a bigger crowd backing their cause at Rufaro tomorrow.

They have the easier of the fixtures this weekend as Dynamos travel to Chiredzi while Bosso are away at FC Platinum.

CAPS United could find themselves leading the championship race this weekend.

Having played for Chapungu before, Khumbuyani  is cautious of the servicemen who are buoyed by their 3-0 victory over ZPC Kariba, a side that had been previously undefeated in the league.

“The fact that we beat them 3-0 in the last meeting does not mean that they are a bad side,” said Khumbuyani.

As Chapungu beat ZPC Kariba, CAPS United were fighting for a precious point away at Maglas against Shabanie and remain with realistic chances of challenging for the league title.

Dynamos lead the table while Highlanders and ZPC Kariba are above CAPS.

The Green Machine coach Taurai Mangwiro has of late been insisting that he would be hunting for a double and collecting three points against Chapungu will keep them on course.

“We are happy that we collected the point considering that it was an away match. Now we would be playing at home and obviously we would want to maximise on home advantage,” said Khumbuyani.

CAPS United have been getting positive results at Rufaro although it’s coming at a cost as they are losing players through injuries.

For tomorrow’s match, striker Pervington Zimunya is out because of an ankle knock while Dominic Chungwa is also injured.

Khumbuyani believes that his troops fluffed a number of chances against Shabanie and would need to improve on their finishing.

“We created some chances against Shabanie but we failed to convert and we just have to improve on our finishing. It’s going to be a different ball game and we have to be our best to and it does not matter that we have beaten them before,” he said.

Khumbuyani said Chapungu fight as a team and that’s where their strength lies.

On Wednesday, Brighton Mugoniwa struck a brace as they brought down ZPC Kariba.

Chapungu also have Maxwell Mavhuto and Victor Bangira who have been doing well for them.