Zimpapers Logo

Ronald Pfumbidzai

Tedious Manyepo : Sports Reporter

CAPS United say they will not dwell much into their impressive record against defending champions Chicken Inn when the two sides battle in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow. The Green Machine have always prevailed against their opponents and need another win to pile the pressure on leaders FC Platinum who host How Mine at Mandava today.Makepepe are chasing a first league title since 2005 and are unbeaten at the giant stadium so far this season.

But, left back Ronald Pfumbidzai has warned his teammates against depending on records saying they should be wary of the danger posed by the Gamecocks.

“We know that we have always dominated Chicken Inn in league games. I believe we are their toughest opponents in the league but they are actually one of the best teams in our league.

“They are the defending champions and it is always difficult to plot the downfall of such a team. They have some good players, some of whom are national team material.

“It is not going to be an easy game for us. The fact that we are well positioned to fight for the league title makes this match a difficult one but what I can assure our fans is we are going all out for a win.

“We need to preserve our super home record and that means we need to put extra effort to nip Chicken Inn,” said Pfumbidzai.

Pfumbidzai said every member of their team was motivated and raring to go as the prospects of winning the league title are slowly starting to click in the players’ minds.

“It has been a while since CAPS United last won the title. Everyone at the club is trying to focus at the moment.

“We are taking each game as it comes. There is no difference playing against Triangle, Chicken Inn or Bulawayo City. They are all the same and what we need to do at the moment is try and focus on the Chicken Inn game.

“If we manage a positive result then we will need to keep the momentum and try to win as many games as we can in the last few matches so stand a big chance of landing the title which has eluded us in the last few seasons when we had the chance,” he said.

A win for CAPS United tomorrow could take them onto pole position if FC Platinum fail to beat How Mine at Mandava today.

But Makepekepe will have to do without their trusted playmaker Tafadzwa Rusike who is grounded by a recurring injury.

Rusike has been impressive in the games he has played.

Also on the treatment table for the Green Machine are Rusike’s midfield colleagues Abbas Amidu and Achford Gutu.

The duo sustained the injuries in their 2-1 win away to Triangle last weekend.

Meanwhile, Mutare City coach Taku Shariwa says he is not under any pressure despite his men sitting just two points above safety.

Mutare City, who started the second half of the season brightly, going for five matches without defeat seem to have fizzled out since they were docked three points for using a suspended player in their drawn game against FC Platinum.

That was followed by a 4-1 hiding at the hands of CAPS United and yet another morale-sapping 1-0 defeat to Bulawayo City.

The Manicand side are 18th on the log standings with 18 points from 22 matches.

They square off against Triangle at Sakubva tomorrow.

“We are not yet panicking and I am very sure we will survive the chop. We need to collect the maximum points against Triangle tomorrow,” said Shariwa.