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Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

BEN Musaka has admitted his debut season for CAPS United is far from ideal.

The utility man spent close to three months on the treatment table after joining the Green Machine from Harare City this year. He has shown glimpses of excellence at the heart of Makepekepe defence but the results have largely been disappointing.

CAPS United are limping in the Castle Lager Premiership football, having already been eliminated from the Chibuku Super Cup in the first round.

Musaka has acknowledged the team has largely been underwhelming in a season they have been hit with player boycotts and sit-ins due to non-payment of salaries and bonuses.

The former Highlanders midfielder remains hopeful though that Makepekepe will finish the marathon in strong terms as he revealed the players are committed to play for the badge. Makepekepe play Yadah in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.

“As players, we have always reminded each other of the need to keep focused, keep fit and keep our eyes on the ball.

“We have always told each other to keep that vision, that desire, that passion to play football at a competitive pace,” said Musaka.

“Things might be tight here and there but we know, as players we should keep focused and be ready to compete at whatever level.

“As players, we know what is expected of us, we know the responsibility we carry on our shoulders.

“This has not been a good season for us in all respects. We need to keep on pushing, we need to fight on and try to finish the term in a respectable position.”

CAPS United, with 31 points to their name, are 13th on the log and are a point and a place behind their opponents today.

Although they won the reverse tie at the same facility, Musaka said the Genesis Mangombe-coached team are tricky customers.

“We are facing Yadah this Saturday (today). This is a tricky match, it’s a local derby and you know derbies are never a walk in the park.

“Yadah are a place above us and that shows you their pedigree. They play with a lot of purpose and we need to guard against that. We should try to be ourselves, play as CAPS United and try to get the maximum points.” Musaka said the players have been talking about the need to defend the dignity of the club as the season winds up with just seven rounds of fixtures remaining.

“We are not entirely safe from relegation but I cannot talk about the chop. We are CAPS United and we know what is needed for us to stay afloat. The issue is we need to fight for every point so we can be in a position to finish the season strongly.

“We wanted to be amongst the top clubs this term but we couldn’t. We have to work with what’s on the ground right now. We should put in the work. We need to develop the right character and the right spirit.

“We need to play for the badge, fight for everything…

“We are already out of the Chibuku Super Cup and it’s really disappointing but that is part of the game. We are also out of the league contention and it’s also part of the game. We need to play for our dignity.”