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Taurai Mangwiro

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE giants CAPS United could end the season without a trophy after seeing one of their most promising prospects getting extinguished following their elimination from the Chibuku Super Cup at FC Platinum on Saturday.Makepekepe lost 1-0 to the platinum miners, hardly a week after falling to their worst defeat to the same opponents in the final of the ZNA Charities.

Despite putting on a spirited fight at the weekend, the Green Machine failed to spring back from the 6-0 loss when defender George Nyirenda turned the ball into his own nets, a blow which proved fatal.

But could Saturday’s Chibuku Super Cup elimination signal the end of the Harare giants’ season? Makepekepe do not have much to look forward to despite a promising season under Taurai Mangwiro.

The team failed to make headway in the NetOne One Wallet Cup where they lost to Dynamos in the first round of the eight-team tournament. With the Mbada Diamonds Cup yet to be confirmed this year, it is becoming apparent they may finish the season empty-handed.

CAPS United’s hopes are now fixed on the league championship.

The Harare giants believe they are still in the equation as they are only four points off the pace with eight games remaining in the season.
Team manager Luis Maio yesterday told The Herald that the Chibuku Super Cup ouster was a big setback and said they will help the players remain focused on the league race.

“It’s unfortunate we lost but I think the boys did their best and it was a much more balanced affair compared to the previous match.
“It’s unfortunate we could not get an equaliser after falling behind.  We made a mistake and we were punished. These things happen in football and I can only say well done to FC Platinum.

“We were all disappointed by the result. Everyone was dejected. After the match, I just thought to myself, ‘no we cannot lose again to the same opponents’, because we had wanted a win to erase the humiliation we suffered at Mandava last week.

“But we have to accept our lot and move on. Definitely it’s aluta continua. We will keep on fighting. I don’t know if the Mbada Diamonds Cup is coming but if it isn’t then our remaining hope will be the league championship. We will need to find a new gear for that,” Maio said.

However, the CAPS United technical team will have to dig deep to get the players believing again.

CAPS United’s campaign has been fraught with a fair share of off-field challenges which included threats of boycotting matches by the players to push for the payment of their outstanding salaries.

Many clubs in Zimbabwe are suffering due to the bad economic environment. There has been discontent among the players in the last two weeks but the Makepekepe management, to their credit, made huge steps to avert a possible disaster by settling the debts.

The players had threatened not to fulfil the match against FC Platinum until their plight was addressed.

Maio said they are now looking to put the setback behind them and focus on the future.

But while Makepekepe were still trying to make sense of their loss, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was elated by his team’s progress.

Kugona Kunenge Kudada are looking to add the Chibuku Super Cup to the Independence Cup they won early in the year under Lloyd Mutasa.

Mapeza praised his charges for their efforts and also acknowledged that Makepekepe gave them a good run for their money on Saturday.

FC Platinum are now looking forward to the next draw as they were joined in the semis by Harare City and Highlanders at the weekend while Triangle and Black Rhinos clash today in the last four.

“The guys did well and I think they are gaining confidence with each and every game. CAPS United definitely did their homework and they gave us a good run. But I want to acknowledge that our players also did their best to win the match.

“That victory was a big morale-booster and I can say we are looking forward to the next challenge. We will continue working hard and leave everything in the hands of God. He knows our destiny,” said Mapeza.