CAPS United coach Ian Bakala has warned his players not to get carried away after they delivered a timely and massive league win over defending champions Simba Bhora on Saturday.
The Green Machine went into the game slumped in 14th place with pressure on Bakala’s job at what felt like an all-time low.
Club legends and supporters alike spent the past week calling into question the Zambian's future, and the 1-0 victory was the perfect response.
A first-half goal from talismanic winger Ishmael Wadi was all the former champions needed to climb up the ladder into 10th place, moving them a precious few points away from the immediate relegation danger.
But in the fleeting moments of joy, Bakala offered a stark reminder that the fight for survival has only just begun.
The former Caps United midfielder knows the club’s history and the expectations better than anyone.
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His post-match reaction was not one of giddy celebration, but of immediate focus and caution as they prepare for a crucial home test against fellow relegation-threatened Manica Diamonds after the upcoming international break.
"We are happy that we got the three points, but we just have to forget about this game and focus on the coming game," he said. "This win means a lot in terms of what we want to achieve at the end of the season, that is to survive, but like I said, we have to forget about this game. Our concentration now has to shift to the next game we are playing at home. Now it's time to create a bit of momentum."
This win, which broke a dismal run of one victory in seven matches, was less about flair and more about sheer grit.
The reality, as Bakala himself admitted, is that Wadi's goal came somewhat against the run of play.
The team’s performance needs significant improvement if they are to successfully navigate the final stretch of the season.
Caps United players took a rare lap of appreciation to the travelling supporters at full-time, with Bakala joining as he soaked himself in the post-match excitement.
“At the moment, we have ups and downs, but we hope and trust that in the coming game, we will do much better than this. We need to improve, and those things could be done in training. Every day we are training and preparing for the next game."
The pressure preceding the match was immense, and the fact that the team delivered under duress speaks volumes, perhaps thanks to a timely intervention from the top. Bakala revealed that club president Farai Jere had addressed the squad before the trip to Shamva, offering a crucial word of encouragement.
“Credit goes to the president. He had a word with the players, a lot of encouragement, which the boys carried onto the field," Bakala said. "They just have to continue working extra hard so that we do our best in the remaining games."
That boardroom backing clearly translated into fighting spirit on the pitch, highlighting the galvanising effect of unity in a crisis.
Caps United’s next assignment against relegation-threatened Manica Diamonds next Sunday now becomes a six-pointer, a chance to truly build the "momentum" Bakala craves.
They need at least five points from the remaining four matches to guarantee their safety, a narrow margin in a tight league race.
However, the win was overshadowed by the unexplained absence of midfield kingpin Tanaka Shandirwa.
While Bakala refused to discuss the matter in detail, simply stating that "Tanaka had an issue, but I think it has been solved," club sources indicated that the former Dynamos star was omitted from the squad due to disciplinary concerns.
For a team fighting for its life, such internal issues are unwelcome distractions.
But Bakala was keen to focus on the available personnel. "We have players who can do what he does for us. Every player is ready to help at the moment. We just need to focus on the players who are here."
The victory over Simba Bhora was a lifeline.
It was a moment of redemption for Bakala and a surge of relief for the club's supporters.
Now, the challenge shifts from winning to consistency.