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• Mangwiro relishes another clash against FC Platinum

• Mapeza says his respect for CAPS remains intact

WHAT’S THE PICK . . . Triangle assistant coach Gift Muzadzi (right), a former national team ‘keeper, conducts the draw for the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals in Harare yesterday

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
FATE has handed troubled CAPS United a quick chance to make up for one of their darkest days in history after the Green Machine were drawn to meet FC Platinum in a Chibuku Cup quarter-final showdown at Mandava on Sunday.

Makepekepe have been mourning all week after they were humiliated 0-6 by FC Platinum in the final of the Commander ZNA Charity Shield final at Mandava on Saturday, the worst beating the Green Machine have suffered since Independence.

The implosion at Mandava has forced a painful soul-searching exercise at CAPS United with their long-suffering fans, who have been waiting for a league championship title for nine years, blaming the club’s leadership, the players and their coaching staff.

CAPS United president Twine Phiri insisted this week that a solution would be found to the challenges plaguing his side as early as this week, but the club has to find funds to pay the players their outstanding salaries within the four days or the problems could explode again.

Phiri insists that his club is suffering the effects of a tough economic environment, but there are some people who also argue that the CAPS United major shareholder should embrace new partners, or the problems will continue haunting them.

The deteriorating indiscipline, within their camp, has also been a major talking point after CAPS United finished their game against FC Platinum with only eight players, after three of them, including Hardlife Zvirekwi who has had a fair share of disciplinary issues, were sent off.

Giants Highlanders have also been having a tough week after they were humiliated 1-4 by Dynamos in the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Bosso were handed a tricky draw, in the Chibuku Cup quarter-finals, after being paired with How Mine in a remake of the usually unpredictable Bulawayo Derby at Mandava on Sunday in what would be a double-header with this match following the CAPS/FC Platinum clash.

The teams met earlier this year in another knock-out competition with Highlanders falling victim in a penalty shoot-out to tumble out of the NetOne One Wallet Cup. The other draws will see Black Rhinos clash with Triangle while struggling newboys Chiredzi United date Masimba Dinyero’s rejuvenated Harare City.

CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro hinted yesterday that FC Platinum should not expect an easy walk in the park and his team would take the fixture as an opportunity to redeem themselves from the humiliation they suffered at the hands of their opponents.

“If anything, we welcome the draw, especially at a time when we are coming from a heavy defeat at the hands of the same opponents. It’s good to have another chance to redeem ourselves,” said Mangwiro.

“They should also have a taste of our medicine. That was a big setback and we are still recovering from that. We gave the players rest and we resumed training today (yesterday). Hopefully, by the end of the week it will be totally behind us.

“I am sure we have drawn our lessons from that defeat. We have been telling the boys to forget about the chapter and we are looking forward to some positive responses.

“Our supporters as well shouldn’t lose hope because of this. I have since apologised for that but loss and we need to move forward together. We have to look ahead with confidence.

“It was always going to be difficult in the last game with three men less against a team like FC Platinum who play passing football. We were obviously exposed.
“Nonetheless this is a new game altogether and we cannot compare it with what is now behind. At the same time I wouldn’t want to sound like I am defending my players or criticising anyone but I don’t think we are that aggressive to deserve all those red cards.

“Three red cards were too much but we also need to be mentally tuned for games of such high temperament.”
Makepekepe resumed their preparations yesterday after giving the players two days rest.

However, their three players, midfielder Tawanda Samanja, Madalitso Mwanza and George Nyirenda failed to train because of illness while Dominic Chungwa and Moses Muchenje had knocks.

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was in relaxed mood yesterday after receiving the news about the draw.
The former Warriors mentor said he will not look much into their last encounter against the Green Machine.

Mapeza said he was looking forward to a new challenge from the Harare giants.
“We take all our games seriously and we understand that in football if you don’t prepare well you are most likely to face difficulties on Match Day.

“What happened at the weekend is now behind us. We are now looking ahead to the next game.
“We respect CAPS United, they are a big team with quality players. In fact we were prepared to face any team that made it to the quarter-finals,” said Mapeza.

Highlanders vice-chairman Mgcini Mpofu welcomed the draw and said they wanted to show the difference in class between them and How Mine, who are only in their second season in the topflight league. Bosso, however, have a bad record against the gold miners who have often made life difficult for them in both League and Cup games.

Mpofu said they are aware of the threat posed by How Mine, who eliminated them from the quarter-finals of the NetOne One Wallet Cup through a penalty shoot-out at Ascot in July.

“That’s the only time we have to redeem ourselves because last Saturday was an embarrassing defeat to Dynamos. That’s a better platform for the coaches to prove themselves.

“Derbies are always difficult and we need to correct our past mistakes. I think this is the right time to do that. It’s always wrong to dwell too much on history. It was the only time they knocked us out of a cup tournament.

“Last year they beat us twice in the league games but when it came to the (Mbada Diamonds) Cup final we beat them convincingly. This year they managed to knock us out through penalty kicks but this time around we will just show them who the boss in Bulawayo is,” said Mpofu.

Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final draw:
Harare City v Chiredzi (Chishamiso, Friday, 3pm, SuperSport Live), Black Rhinos v Triangle (Gibbo, Saturday, 3pm, SuperSport Live), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava, Sunday, 1pm, SuperSport Live), How Mine v Highlanders (Mandava, Sunday 3pm, SuperSport Live)