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Dodo happy with squad progress

Sport
CAPS United coach Darlington Dodo has lauded the hard work that his players have been putting as they prime themselves for the anticipated return of football after a 15-month break.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

CAPS United coach Darlington Dodo has lauded the hard work that his players have been putting as they prime themselves for the anticipated return of football after a 15-month break.

With football having been on suspension due to the COVID-19-induced lockdowns, coaches had instructed their players to do individual training to improve on fitness levels.

As football action prepares for resumption, Premier Soccer League clubs have started group training and Caps United are in their third week working as a group.

Dodo, however, says while he had been impressed by the adaptation of his lads from individual to group training, he admits it has been hard for them.

“As you are aware, the players had been training individually and this is our third week training as a group. It has been difficult for them to return to group training because there is a difference between individual and group training,” he said.

“With individual training, it fools you, you think you are doing enough but when training as a group where there is planning under the supervision of the coach, it has not been easy. It has been very difficult for them.

“The good thing though is that I have a young squad with the desire and commitment, so they are adapting well. They are gradually getting into shape.”

The Green Machine gaffer said he was finalising his quad and expressed satisfaction despite losing three players — goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, Newman Sianchali and Innocent Mucheneka.

“I am happy with the squad I have. We have lost three players, but it’s still okay for us and we are still pushing to secure Ian Nyoni in a fresh deal. He is in the mix, so I am happy with what I have,” he said.

The Green Machine signed Nyoni on a year-long loan deal where the player was expected to have represented them in the 2020 season, but football was suspended following successive lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19.

This resulted in Nyoni’s loan deal expiring on December 31 last year without him kicking the ball for the club.

The Harare giants are hoping to make up for the disappointment of losing the title at the final hurdle to eventual winners FC Platinum in 2019 as they prepare for the new campaign.

  • Follow Tawanda on Twitter @Tafitawa