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Lloyd Chitembwe

Paul Mundandi Sports Reporter
CAPS UNITED coach Lloyd Chitembwe believes his side and FC Platinum, who could not be separated after 180 minutes of play, deserve their place at the top of the Castle Lager Premiership table. The two sides failed to breach each other’s defence over two legs with their latest battle ending goalless at the National Sports Stadium. CAPS United, though, can justifiably feel they should have won on Saturday but veteran forward Leonard Tsipa produced the miss of the season when he failed to tap in from close range.

FC Platinum lead the championship race by two points. “CAPS United and FC Platinum are the best teams, so far, in the Premiership,” said Chitembwe. “We have scored the most goals, we have conceded the least number of goals and we have the most points than any other team

“On Saturday people witnessed good football, which was very tactical, and I am proud of all the players because they did what they were supposed to do. “Our football is not bad as most people think.

“I can’t talk of CAPS United or FC Platinum winning the league at the moment. The race is still wide open because we still have 36 points to play for and anything can happen in football.”

Chitembwe said he was happy to see Norman Mapeza doing well at FC Platinum. “When we grew up in Unit A (in Chitungwiza) people thought we were not going to make it in football,” said Chitembwe.

“We would go for road runs with Norman and a number of people laughed at us saying football would not take us anywhere but we have achieved something. “Today his team is on top and I am on second position. We have the best teams in the Premiership so far.”

Chitembwe and Mapeza played in the same team from primary school level at Chinembiri and Seke 2 High. They then played for Red Arrows before joining Darryn T under Wielsaw Grabowski. “We still work very hard. God gives us the power and blessings. We are at the same level,” said Chitembwe.

“We have the same characters. We are passionate about football. We want success. Norman is focused and determined. “We grew up together and we are not enemies as some people think.

“He is disciplined. He wants to do more in life. I am very happy for him. We are both hard workers and we always strive to do the best. “He does a lot of things for me outside football.”