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NewsDay

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Connor stays

Sport
Caps United will not be forced to make changes to their technical team despite a third consecutive loss which has seen them drop from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) title race. Manager Sean Connor and his assistant Lloyd Chitembwe will stay on despite concerns over the team’s poor form even with huge investments […]

Caps United will not be forced to make changes to their technical team despite a third consecutive loss which has seen them drop from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) title race.

Manager Sean Connor and his assistant Lloyd Chitembwe will stay on despite concerns over the team’s poor form even with huge investments that have been made in players.

United, who last won the league championship in 2005 under the guidance of Charles Mhlauri, have lost their last three games against Highlanders (1-0), Hwange (2-1) and Dynamos (1-0).

They are 14 points off the pace — stuck in mid-table with a paltry 19 points — with the campaign at the halfway stage.

Their latest defeat to Dynamos has also piled the pressure on the coaches, but United chief executive Maxwell Mironga said they were not in the habit of chopping and changing coaches.

“We have said it before and are saying it again that manager Sean Connor and his assistant Lloyd Chitembwe will continue to guide this team. Of course, the team is not getting results, but is playing well,” Mironga said.

“You don’t expect positive results overnight. Fans should understand that there is need for patience. Look at Arsenal last season — how many games did Arsene Wenger lose? Did anyone raise concern?”

Mironga, however, admitted that the championship was out of reach and that they were now targeting a top-four finish.

“We can’t talk of the championship because that is out of sight, but our focus is now on finishing in a respectable position. A top-four finish would be realistic,” Mironga said.

Caps United are set to make a trip to the Colliery to face Hwange this weekend. And Connor will be hoping for a change of fortunes against a team that seems to be struggling at home this season, but doing well away.

The PSL programme resumes this weekend after a two-week break that enabled Dynamos, who were taking part in the Caf Champions League and the Confederation Cup, to catch up with the rest of the teams.

Dynamos have since played Highlanders (1-1) and Caps United and this Saturday will be in Mandava for a date with FC Platinum. That will take their total number of games to 14 with one more against Hwange outstanding.

The game, which Dynamos had won 4-2, was annulled after the Harare side marshals manhandled Hwange coaches Nation Dube and Mebelo Njekwa before the match.

A PSL disciplinary committee ordered a replay, but Dynamos appealed and are waiting for a determination from the Zifa Appeals Committee.