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Mark Mathe

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Mark Mathe believes CAPS United’s loss would be Bidvest Wits’ gain following the departure of Malawian international footballer Gerald Phiri to the South African club last week.

Phiri, who was part of the Malawi team at the recent COSAFA Cup tournament, impressed the Bidvest coaches after he was invited for trials two weeks ago.

The midfielder was rapidly rising into becoming a core member of the Green Machine following the exodus of seasoned players at the beginning of the season. His exit has worried the new man in charge of the club, Mathe, who was recently elevated to fill the vacancy left by his former boss Mark Harrison.

“He is a good player, make no mistake about that. If you ask me I will tell you this boy was an asset,” said Mathe.

“But, look, he is going to greener pastures and he only needs to be supported in his endeavors.

“So we are happy for him and we wish him the best in his career.”

Phiri still had a year running on his contract with CAPS United and he did enough to convince Bidvest Wits and was given a new deal.

He is one of the four players that have left the Harare giants in the last month and it looks CAPS United will be faced with another huge task to beef up their stocks. Makepekepe also lost defender Ronald Pfumbidzai who moved to Denmark while Malawian forward Ishmael Thindwa has returned home to join Mighty Wanderers. Thindwa played a small part during his stint at Makepekepe despite the huge expectations on his arrival last year as the Malawian Golden Boot winner.

Rodreck Mutuma is also pushing for a move out of the club and has since stopped training with CAPS United.

The Green Machine’s team manager, Shakespeare Chinogwenya, yesterday said they need new players to strengthen all departments.

“We are looking for a defender, a midfielder and a respectable striker to replace those that have left.

“There are some targets that we have. We are looking at quite a number of players but it is a bit difficult because of the usual challenges on the market.

“Most of the players have running contracts with their clubs and it’s not easy. However we are trying to engage those players and the authorities from the clubs they are contracted to and, hopefully, we will succeed.

“But if it doesn’t work out then we may have to continue with those players that we have in our books until the end of the season,” said Chinogwenya.

The Green Machine are angling at wooing back Oscar Machapa into their ranks from Dynamos while Dominic Chungwa and Kelvin Bulaji, who left at the beginning of the season, could bounce back.

Makepekepe are targeting a top four finish and they travel to Chicken Inn this Saturday to begin the second round matches. They are currently fifth on the log standings with 24 points, five behind log leaders Chicken Inn.

Fixtures

Friday: Tsholotsho v ZPC Kariba (White City)

Saturday: Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve), Harare City v Flame Lily (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava)

Sunday: Whawha v Dongo Sawmill (Ascot), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro), Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo), How Mine v Buffaloes (Luveve)