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VOTE OF CONFIDENCE . . . CAPS United coach Mark Mathe has received the backing of his employers after his team suffered the setback of blowing a lot of chances and being held by Tsholotsho at the National Sports Stadium on Thursday

Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
CAPS United are hoping that the availability of their Equatorial Guinea forward Antonio Fugo will add bite to their strike force as they battle to make a big impression in the final stages of the Castle Lager Premiership race.

Fugo, who used to play for Deportivo Mangomo in his home country, was one of the six players unveiled by the Green Machine during the mid-season transfer window.

However, the gangly forward could not feature for CAPS United as he was still waiting for his work permit.

Yesterday, Fugo received his work permit and was quickly added to the team that will face Dongo Sawmill in a league match at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.

Makepekepe players went into camp yesterday with the club’s management saying they want their charges to have complete focus on the remainder of the season.

Club president Farai Jere was hurt after watching CAPS United drop two points at home in a game they dominated Tsholotsho at the giant stadium on Thursday.

The Green Machine blew a number of golden chances with Dominic Chungwa and Leonard Tsipa failing to convert great opportunities, and there was disappointment in their camp after the match.

Coach Mark Mathe, who was given a vote of confidence by the management on Thursday, with the blame falling on their misfiring forwards, immediately roped his Equatorial Guinea forward into his team for this weekend.

The former Highlanders mentor said they can’t keep mourning about the Tsholotsho match but will have to fight for points in the coming match.

“We had a recovery session today (yesterday) and we spoke to the players. We shouldn’t have drawn in that match but in football you learn the hard way and we were our own enemies,” said Mathe.

“But the Tsholotsho match has come and gone and we have to focus on the Dongo match. By virtue of being at the bottom they have everything to gain and nothing to lose so they are dangerous.

“Going into this match we are just using the approach we had against the Tsholotsho match and we are wary of them and we are not underestimating them. We are also looking at where best we can improve and that is scoring goals, outplaying an opponent and not scoring goals won’t help you.”

CAPS United will miss Dominic Mukandi who picked a knock while defender Justice Jangano and Valentine Musarurwa are still out nursing injuries.

In Bulawayo, it is football fiesta at Barbourfields tomorrow afternoon with a double header which will be screened live on SuperSport.

How Mine will take on Triangle in an early kick off at 1pm before Tsholotsho host the champions Dynamos at 3pm.

How Mine coach Luke Masomere, who has met with mixed fortunes in the last few matches, said he was expecting a tough game.

Meanwhile, league pacesetters Chicken Inn say they are unfazed by the teams which are breathing heavily on their neck.

The Gamecocks host a Hwange side, which is in buoyant mood after they won their mid-week match.

“It is really tough being at the top but we just have to stay calm and take each game as it comes as all the top teams are challenging for honours,” said coach Joey Antipas.

“The Hwange game is another difficult game for us as all the games are becoming difficult now. They are coming from a win and we are also coming from a win so it should be an open game.”

Fixtures

Today: Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve, SS); Flame Lily v Chapungu (Larfarge).

Tomorrow: WhaWha v Highlanders (Ascot); How Mine v Triangle (Barbourfields, 1pm SS); Tsholotsho v Dynamos (Luveve, 3pm SS); CAPS United v Dongo Sawmill (National Sports Stadium); FC Platinum v ZPC Kariba (Mandava).

Monday: Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro).