Tedious Manyepo : Sports Reporter

MUTARE City Rovers coach Taku Shariwa is aware that CAPS United are desperate to beat his team to keep their title hopes alive, but reckons the Green Machine will have to sweat for the full points when the two teams clash in a Castle Lager Premiership soccer tie at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.Shariwa said his charges, who have hit a purple patch in the second half of the season, will not afford to relax as they need to avoid relegation at all costs.

The youthful coach said he has great respect for CAPS United and knows their capabilities, especially considering that the 2005 champions have a chance to land the title.

But he insisted Mutare City were not there to aid CAPS United’s cause at their own survival expense.

The two clubs are fresh from their respective last ties where they emerged with contrasting fortunes.

CAPS United encountered a huge dent in their quest to keep up with log leaders FC Platinum when they crushed to a humiliating 1-3 defeat at the hands of newboys Bulawayo City last weekend, allowing the Zvishavane side to stretch their lead at the top of the table to five points as they saw off Triangle 2-1 at Gibbo.

On the other hand, Shariwa’s team upstaged Hwange 2-1 at Sakubva as they continued with their ascendancy script which has seen them being one of the most consistent sides since the second half of the league marathon began.

Makepekepe are second behind FC Platinum while Mutare City Rovers are third from bottom with 21 points, eight above the safety margin.

“CAPS United is a big club with a rich history of beating the so-called small teams in the league.

“They are fighting for the league title and what makes our game against them tough is the fact that they are coming from a defeat.

“They obviously want to atone for that loss with a victory against us, but if we allow that to happen then where will we get the points to help us survive relegation?

“We need to win all our remaining games to make sure that we avoid the chop. The game against CAPS United will be a pressure game as they will be seeking redemption while we will be out to continue with our march towards safety,” said Shariwa.

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe has all this week been exuding confidence that his charges will fight until the end to win the title.

Meanwhile, Mutare City Rovers’ golden boy Kudakwashe Gurure has set his sights on bagging the 2016 Golden Boot award.

With six goals to his name so far, just one shy of top scorer Bruce Kangwa (formerly with Highlanders), who is now playing in the Tanzania top-flight, Gurure said he will strive to score many goals to win the award.

“I have set my sights on winning the 2016 PSL top goal scorer award. I will not be selfish through trying to score more goals because I am a team player who put Mutare City Rovers before everything else.

“I want to help my team survive relegation and why can’t I spice it up with the top scorers’ award,” said Gurure.

The 20-year-old said there was nothing special playing about CAPS United although he has respect for his team’s opponents.

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