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Caps ramp up preps

Sport
HARARE football giants Caps United have stepped up their preparations for the new season after lining up some friendly matches which will see them play army side Black Rhinos in their first practice match today.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

HARARE football giants Caps United have stepped up their preparations for the new season after lining up some friendly matches which will see them play army side Black Rhinos in their first practice match today.

Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs have been training for five weeks now since football was given the greenlight to resume, having been on suspension since last year due to the COVID-19-induced lockdowns.

The topflight league governors on Friday resolved that the game should restart in a phased approach, starting with a cluster tournament next week which will serve as a dress rehearsal to the league title race scheduled for July 17.

And with less than two weeks before the start of the preseason tournament, Caps coach Darlington Dodo feels his charges need some sparing partners before the tournament to help him identify strengths and weaknesses. His charges will face Black Rhinos today as they continue with their preparations.

The Green Machine yesterday tested playing, staff and officials ahead of the encounter to ensure COVID 19 compliance.

According to the guidelines, teams are supposed to test players and officials after every two weeks and prior to a match.

Caps administrator Morton Dodzo said: “We have conducted tests today as Caps. Compliance to COVID-19 requirements is a priority for us. We are sticking to PSL requirements of ensuring players are tested before practice or friendly matches. We have also gone a step further and appointed two COVID-19 compliance officers who are medical officers,” he said.

Dodo said he is pleased with the team he has assembled and believes they can compete for honours this term despite having lost some key members during the time football was on suspension.

Those that have left include striker Newman Sianchali, who joined bitter city rivals Dynamos, goalkeeper Wallace Magalane who returned to FC Platinum and Innocent Mucheneka who is also training with the Zvishavane- based side with a view to signing for them.

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

According to the proposed mini tournament, teams would be placed in four groups, with the first group consisting of Dynamos, Caps, Harare City, Herentals, Yadah and ZPC Kariba, which will be based in Harare.

The second group is set to feature Bulawayo Chiefs, Bulawayo City, Chicken Inn and Highlanders.

The third group will have Manica Diamonds and Tenax, Black Rhinos and Cranborne Bullets, with the fourth group made up of FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Triangle United and WhaWha.

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