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Sports Reporter
TRIANGLE coach Gishon Ntini says his side have to bounce back from the Mbada Diamonds Cup disappointment when he comes face-to-face with former paymasters CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
The Premiership newboys were beaten 2-3 by Highlanders at Barbourfields in the first round of the flagship knockout tournament in the country on Sunday and have since shifted their attention to the league marathon.

Ntini, who started his career at the Green Machine as understudy to Charles Mhlauri, yesterday said CAPS United should brace for a tough encounter as Triangle will be aiming for maximum points.

They are sitting 10th on the log table with 27 points and are just five points clear of the relegation cut-off point and with nine games remaining in the season, Ntini said every point has its weight in gold.

“I respect CAPS United because that is where I was born and bred as a football coach. They are like a family to me and one day we might be re-united,” said Ntini.

“You can never rule out anything in football but let me stress that they should not expect any favours from me because I am here at Triangle to do my job as a coach, which is to win games.

“So my purpose of being here in Harare at the moment is strictly to do business. We lost our last match to Highlanders in the Mbada Cup but that was a different competition altogether.

“I feel that staying in the league is more important than losing out in a cup competition because it will guarantee you participation in more cup games again next year.

“That is why I am saying the league games are more important.
“Every point matters to us because soon it will be dog eat dog both at the bottom and at the top of the table. We need to push hard for maximum points to be safe from relegation.”

Ntini said he was delighted with the availability of former CAPS United players Limited Chikafa and Courage Denias who returned at the weekend after shaking off injuries.

Both players managed to play a part in the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round.
Ntini will also be hoping that his trusted players Lameck Nhamo, Pascal Manhanga, Charles Makoto and Tawanda Muyendi come to the party.

However, former CAPS United veterans David Sengu and Tinei Meda, who is in plaster, will not take part in this match due to injuries.
Makepekepe assistant coach Saul Chaminuka said they were ready for anything that Triangle will throw at them in this match.
The Green Machine won 1-0 in the first leg at Gibbo back in May through Joseph Mutambiranwa’s goal and will be hoping to complete a double.

“We are ready for the match and we are happy there are no injuries to worry about except Tendai Samanja who is recovering from an ankle knock.

“But he should be fit to play now.
“We know Triangle are one team that you cannot really underrate and as CAPS United we will throw everything at them,” said Chaminuka.
CAPS United are currently fifth on the log standings with 35 points, six off the pace.

A win today will keep alive their hopes for the league championship.

Fixtures
Today
Harare City v Shabanie (Rufaro), Motor Action v Chicken Inn (Motor Action), Buffaloes v How Mine (Sakubva), CAPS United v Triangle (National Sports Stadium), Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery SS9),  Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barbourfields)
Tomorrow
Monomotapa v Tripple B (Gwanzura)