Caps United are facing a crisis in their forward area with veteran striker Leonard Tsipa ruled out of the season opener against bogey side Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Speaking at a news conference in Harare yesterday, coach Lloyd Chitembwe said the other striker, Simba Nhivi, was also doubtful with the medical team still assessing him.
Should Nhivi fail to pass a fitness test before the match, it would leave the Harare giants with only Dominic Chungwa to look up to for goals upfront.
Skipper Method Mwanjali is also carrying an injury and is also being assessed, but Zvikomborero Biserk has been ruled out of the weekend clash.
“As for injuries, we have Tsipa and Biserk, they are out of the match against Chapungu. Simba Nhivi and Method are still being assessed,” Chitembwe said.
Neverthless, Chitembwe believes they have the quality that can win them things this season.
He expressed great respect for Chapungu, saying they had a decent group of players.
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“We do respect Chapungu, but we have an equally good group of players. We have got quality. We have got a mixture of youth and experience, we have integrated some youngsters like Kudzanai Nyamupfukudza, Phineas Bhamusi and Chris Mverechena, but it is about the ability. It’s not just about fielding a player.
If he is young and has more ability than Method, he will get into the team,” said Chitembwe.
Caps United have added several stars in their ranks including Mwanjali, goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda, Archie Gutu, former Triangle midfielder Cabby Kamhapa and Tafadzwa Rusike.
Chitembwe, however, said the match against Chapungu had taken them a long time to prepare.
“This is one match that has taken us long to prepare. It has taken us precisely eight weeks. We have had quite a preparatory phase and are just motivated to see how well will perform.”
The Caps United gaffer was also pleased with Hardlife Zvirekwi’s performance in national team colours which he believes would help his side in this campaign.
Zvirekwi was not included in the squad that made the trip to Swaziland where the Warriors managed a 1-1 draw in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Good Friday.
But he was given a chance in the second leg at home on Easter Monday and produced a fabulous performance as a full-back.
“I was very excited by his performance. He showed a lot character, not so many players can do that. Hardy was dropped for the first match in Swaziland and was thrown into the deep end in the second match and from the way he responded, he is one player I believe will go places,” said Chitembwe. He added that winning the championship was their main goal.
“The championship is the ultimate prize, but what is important for us is to win games, eventually we will be happy to get the ultimate prize.”
