ZPC Kariba can see Promised Land
chikafa

Limited Chikafa

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ZPC Kariba stand on the threshold of completing a fairy-tale but CAPS United have warned that they will erect a hurdle, which might be tough to clear, at Gwanzura tomorrow.The Green Machine are battling for third place, their best finish in the league championship race in five years, and there are many analysts who believe that they could have been in a better position if they had not been stalked by financial challenges this year.

Their opponents tomorrow, ZPC Kariba, didn’t have any financial challenges all season and could win the league championship by avoiding defeat in their final game.

The Kariba side, who have played all their league matches in Harare, return to their adopted home, Gwanzura, where they are unbeaten all season and odds-on favourites to be crowned champions.

It’s hard to see Saul Chaminuka and his men failing now, having come this far, and they could even lose against the Green Machine, and still be crowned champions should Dynamos fail to beat How Mine at the National Sports Stadium.

It’s a very good position to be in and even the die-hard DeMbare fans believe that this is one race they are unlikely to win.

ZPC Kariba will even have some of the CAPS United fans, singing in their corner, because they don’t want to see their bitter rivals DeMbare winning a fourth straight league title.

CAPS United will be under the guidance of assistant coach Mike Madzivanyika and yesterday he said his men will play for the honour of their shirt.

“This is a big game for us and we would like to finish the season on a high note so we will not do anyone any favour,” said Madzivanyika.
“There is a lot to play for, as far as CAPS United are concerned, We will be professional and play our best game and the better team of the day will win. We cannot influence results as we need to remain professional.

“We are well prepared and we were working hard ahead of this match, which everyone is looking forward to.”

CAPS United were in a similar position last year when they met Harare City, who were odds-on favourites to win the title, and were two points ahead of Dynamos.

The Green Machine turned on the show and ended the Sunshine Boys’ quest for the league title in a 2-2 draw at the National Sports Stadium.
Tawanda Nyamandwe, who has been one of the leading lights in ZPC Kariba’s attack this year, scored one of the CAPS United goals that afternoon.
Dominic Chungwa, whose promising season has been wrecked by injuries, scored the other.

William Manondo and Godfrey Nguwodzawo were on target for the Sunshine Boys but, given that they needed a win, the draw wasn’t good enough for them to win the league title.

At Rufaro, Dynamos, inspired by the news that Makepekepe were leading at the giant stadium, secured the game through a double by Simba Sithole.

The draw saw Dynamos, who beat Black Mambas, being crowned champions through a Simba Sithole brace.

There is every possibility that this could happen again tomorrow and lightining could strike twice and, on both occasions, destroy the dreams of the teams that are battling against DeMbare for the title.

CAPS United will miss the services of Malawian defender George Nyirenda who is out injured.

“We have all the players available except for Nyirenda who was injured at training and will not make the final team,” said Madzivanyika.
ZPC coach, Saul Chaminuka, knows that they have their fate in their hands and has been urging his troops to make one final leap onto the glory fields.

He knows they are the ones who are under pressure, which will mount should CAPS take the lead, and word filter from the National Sports Stadium that DeMbare have taken the lead against How Mine.

But it’s hard to see the Premeirship newboys, who have a number of veterans in their fold, blowing this golden opportunity.

“We need an outright win so that we finish the championship race in style,” said Chaminuka.

“CAPS has been my home so I will not take the game lightly as it will determine our future.”

For the players, this will look like a training drill, from last season, as ZPC Kariba have a number of CAPS United players in their fold.

But there will be a lot of pressure in the stands.

CAPS, strangely, will be backed by a group of Dynamos fans, on the rare occasions this happens, in their quest for a victory that could open a window of hope for the Glamour Boys.

ZPC Kariba team manager, Partson Ndabambi, said his men were not losing sleep over this big battle.

He told ZBC news that they are a team that have perfected the art of playing the

big boys, with their stunning comeback against Dynamos, in a game where a defeat would have ended their quest for honours, top of the list.
Limited Chikafa was their hero, heading home the winner that swung the pendulum in their court and, after the drama of that afternoon, surely, ZPC Kariba cannot blow it now.

 

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