CAPS United are hoping that banned coach Taurai Mangwiro can get a reprieve before the 2013 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season starts, but have been frustrated by the lack of movement in the Asiagate match-fixing appeals process.
Report by Kevin Mapasure
Mangwiro appealed his 10-year ban, but hopes of having his case heard by the Appeals Committee before the new season opens are shrinking as the season, expected to start after the Warriors’ Egypt trip, fast approaches.
Zifa has promised to get the process going before the new campaign begins, but while some coaches and players paid appeals fees last year, nothing has yet been done.
Sources at Caps yesterday said club owner Twine Phiri has placed his hopes on Mangwiro shepherding the Green Machine into the new season after a reality check in the weekend’s NetOne Charity Shield final where they were outplayed by Chicken Inn after the Green Machine win against Black Rhinos last week had given them hope.
After dismissing the core of last season’s team, critics had predicted another bleak term for Makepekepe. The former champions have been linked with several coaches including among others Norman Mapeza. But Phiri’s hands are tied until the outcome of the appeals process and believes Mangwiro is the right coach to preside over the revamped side.
Phiri yesterday, however, said they had a technical team in place which could do the job just as well, while adding that their priority would be to further strengthen the squad.
“Obviously we are waiting for the appeals process, but in the meantime we have a technical team capable enough,” Phiri said. “What we are focusing on right now is further strengthening the squad and in my own point of view we need another defender, midfielder and a striker. But I am pleased with the way things have gone so far. We are moving in the right direction.”
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Caps United are also placing hopes on the return of defender Tawanda Munyanduri to action as he battles a knee problem. The player is expected to undergo an operation to remove a blood clot on his knee.
Caretaker coach Brenna Msiska, who has presided over three competitive games recording a win, a draw and a loss, has talked of the need to go back shopping before the window closes.
“We let in early goals mainly because of some defensive blunders and failure to read the opponents’ raids,” Msiska said. “We have to go into the market and look for two more defenders who can help strengthen that department ahead of the new season.”
He added that they might also shop for another goalkeeper just to increase options and competition for places.
