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Tedious Manyepo : Sports Reporter

CAPS UNITED star Hardlife Zvirekwi says anything short of victory in tomorrow’s battle against plucky relegation fighters Mutare City Rovers at the National Sports Stadium could destroy their hopes of winning a league championship for the first time in 11 years. The Green Machine are five points behind leaders FC Platinum after falling to a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Bulawayo City in their last adventure in the City of Kings.After having played Hwange at the Colliery, the week before, fatigue might have caught up with Makepekepe who crumbled in the first half against a Bulawayo City side that has hit good form.

Zvirekwi dismissed suggestions on social media that the players deliberately under-performed in Bulawayo because they were unhappy with late payments of their salaries.

“The game against Mutare City is crucial in this marathon,” said the Zimbabwe international defender.

“We are entering the last third of the season which demands a lot of concentration and focus. This is the period which determines set targets and everyone will be fighting for their objectives.

“We are fighting for the championship and we have to win all the games which we can in this last third.

“We have gone for three games without winning and this is the time to start collecting maximum points in the games to come.”

The 29-year old defender, who is equally good in attack, said CAPS United have what it takes to win the title but they needed to improve their conversion rate in front of goal.

“Scoring is every player’s responsibility and blaming strikers for the poor goal-scoring form we are experiencing will not be fair.

“In Europe every player can be a frequent goal-scorer so why would we want to blame strikers alone?

“We have to play as a team, score as a team and defend together.”

He will miss the final Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Guinea in Conakry due to a CAF suspension.

Mutare City Rovers have not lost a match in the second half of the season as they have hit a purple patch which has seen them hold leaders FC Platinum and beating fancied Highlanders.

Fixtures

Today

Harare City v Bulawayo City (Rufaro) SS

Tomorrow

CAPS United v Mutare City (NSS) SS

Chapungu v Border Strikers (Ascot)

FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava)

Tsholotsho v ZPC Kariba (Luveve)

Sunday

Highlanders v How Mine (Babourfields)

Hwange v Triangle (Colliery)

Ngezi Platinum v Dynamos (Baobab) SS