Taurai Mangwiro’s change of heart Taurai Mangwiro
Taurai Mangwiro

Taurai Mangwiro

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
TAURAI Mangwiro has had a change of heart and appears ready to ride the rough storm after calling for unity within the CAPS United family in the wake of the disturbances at Rufaro on Sunday.Mangwiro, who had hinted at quitting, yesterday said he is keen to see his vision of winning silverware at the Green Machine coming to fruition after meeting with the club’s leadership.

Unruly CAPS United supporters on Sunday threatened to assault the coach, accusing him of being a Dynamos sympathiser, and staged running battles with the police before they were dispersed. “I was really disappointed with what happened yesterday (on Sunday) but we have decided to look at it as just one of those assignments we drew at home, save for that sad episode. That was bad advertisement for our club.

“However, we need to move on as a club. It is actually at this point that we need everyone’s support, we need to be united. I am happy I saw a big number of supporters who sang and cheered the team all the way. I really appreciate that but then there is this other section which was hostile even before the game begun.

“It’s surprising to see supporters abusing even their own players. George Nyirenda scored two own goals trying to help the team against FC Platinum and yesterday some people were booing him when we went out for the warm-up.

“How then do you expect him to play without being affected? The same happened when Honey (Chimutimunzeve) and Dominic Chungwa missed scoring chances in the first half. We also had a case of Tafadzwa Dube, who was also subjected to that same abuse after conceding four goals against Highlanders.

“It’s only that he is a strong player, I don’t think it was going to be easy for any other ‘keeper to come back after that.  Right now we are coming from a crisis that everybody knows about and you cannot expect the team to spring back just like that. It’s a process and people should bear with us. These players have actually done very well under very difficult circumstances. That is why we are even better than most of the well-sponsored teams on the log table.

“The club president has promised to sort everything out and the supporters need to be patient,” said Mangwiro.

CAPS United are fourth on the log table with 39 points in the bag.

Makepekepe are still in the championship race as they trail leaders Dynamos by four points with seven games remaining in the season.

Mangwiro believes they need to maintain focus despite the challenges they are facing.

“It’s sad for anyone to accuse me that I deliberately do some things to give advantage to Dynamos. Of course, I may have that background but when last did I benefit directly Dynamos? I have been to Masvingo, Monomotapa and all those clubs helped me to be what I am today.

“Here at CAPS United Twine Phiri and Farai Jere bailed me out of Asiagate and I will forever be grateful to them. What do I get from giving Dynamos an advantage? I am sure they don’t even care what happens here because they are concentrating on their own campaign.

“I have done my best with this team but it’s not for me to say how far we have progressed in the last two seasons, compared to the years before I came,” said Mangwiro.  Ironically, before Sunday’s match, Mangwiro received an accolade recognising his contributions to the Makepekepe family after he was voted the Premiership’s best coach for the month of June.

The club’s spokesperson, Joyce Kapota, yesterday said they are not happy with the conduct of some of their supporters, who are bent on causing problems at their matches. “As a club we have always maintained that we don’t condone violence at the stadium. We are also not amused by the abuse of the coach and the players. Football is a family game and the environment should be conducive for everyone to come.

“From the look of it, it seems like there is a certain clique that is behind all these problems. I am sure the police and our security personnel will help us to get to the root of the problem.

“We appeal to our genuine supporters to rally behind the team and the coach,” said Kapota.

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