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Lloyd Chitembwe

Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe says it’s business as usual when his charges take on Mutare City at Sakubva tomorrow despite in-house challenges that rocked their house this week. The players returned to training yesterday with a double session after having boycotted sessions for two days in protest over the delay in the payment of their May salaries and winning bonuses for their victory over Chicken Inn.

And Chitembwe says the events will not affect their performance as the team has been training before the season got underway. “From the pre-season we have been working on fitness, so you cannot lose it because you didn’t train for two or three days,” said Chitembwe.

“Everyone knows what is expected from them, so we haven’t lost anything. “What is just needed is to work on their mental aspects. They know what is at stake and they are responsible for what happens on the pitch and outside the pitch.”

The Green Machine are coming from a goalless draw against Triangle in their last match at the National Sports Stadium. “I see it as a difficult match. They have been doing well under the new coach who has changed things and they are now conceding less goals and have managed to pick some points and we expect a tough match,” said Chitembwe.

“Our league has become very competitive. “It would be very difficult to get three points easily.” CAPS United players have vowed they will fight for the three points to show their commitment to the club and their fans.

Chitembwe could even field the Warriors duo of Hardlife Zvirekwi and Ronald Pfumbidzai, who arrived yesterday from national duty. Mutare City coach Taku Shariwa said his players were likely to be motivated by their high-profile opponents.

“We have been emphasising on hard work. It is a big match for us,” he said. “We have been playing well but we are failing to score, so it is one of the grey areas and we are working on that.”

Fixtures
Today: ZPC Kariba v Tsholotsho (Nyamhunga), Bulawayo City v Harare City (Barbourfields).

Tomorrow: Dynamos v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Border Strikers v Chapungu (Dulivhadzimu), Triangle United v Hwange (Gibbo), Mutare City Rovers v CAPS United (Sakubva).