FOR a club long celebrated as Zimbabwe's "Cup Kings", Caps United's recent record in knockout football has been one of frustration rather than success.
The Green Machine have not won the league title since 2016. Although they briefly topped the Premier Soccer League standings earlier this season, their challenge has faded dramatically.
Sunday's 4-2 victory over Highlanders ended a difficult run and was only their third win in 15 matches. Caps now sit sixth, 11 points behind leaders Scottland with a game in hand and only nine matches remaining, leaving their title hopes all but over.
With the league effectively out of reach, the club has shifted its focus to the Chibuku Super Cup and the inaugural Zifa Munhumutapa Cup as its last realistic route to silverware and continental football.
Speaking after the Chibuku Super Cup draw in Harare yesterday, Caps United chief executive officer Morton Dodzo said the cup competitions offered the club an opportunity to rescue its season.
"This is an opportunity for Caps United," Dodzo said.
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"This season, expectations were very high because the team started pretty well. This is the platform for the team to appease its fans, to redeem ourselves. So, we would want to promise all fans, all stakeholders and investors that in this edition, this year, we are going to do better and we are going to do well."
Despite their rich history, Caps United have never won the Chibuku Super Cup since its relaunch in 2014. Their best finish was a semi-final appearance in 2023.
"We want to compete and our wish is to win it this time around," Dodzo said.
"We want to make our fans happy. We also want to make our other stakeholders happy. We also want to guarantee return on what has been invested by the shareholders. So we are ready. This is a good opportunity for us."
Dodzo also welcomed the introduction of the Zifa Munhumutapa Cup, whose winners will qualify for next year's Caf Confederation Cup.
Caps United begin their campaign against Scottland Under-19 at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro on Saturday.
"This is a do-or-die tournament for us," Dodzo said.
"We have been very ambitious this season to say our target is to play international football either by winning the league or by winning this inaugural Zifa Munhumutapa Cup."
He said victory over Highlanders had boosted confidence ahead of the knockout competitions.
"It's always good to go into a tournament after a win. It motivates the boys and it also gives them the spirit to keep fighting and winning"
Caps were drawn against Simba Bhora in the opening round of the Chibuku Super Cup on the weekend of August 15-16.
"It's a fair draw," Dodzo said. "Simba Bhora are a tough team but when we were coming to this draw, we were expecting such an outcome, to get any team so we are very happy with it."
Simba Bhora administrator Isah Parichi also expects a closely contested match.
"It will be difficult, especially away from home, but we have enjoyed good results at Rufaro Stadium and we'll take confidence from that," he said.
"Winning the league is no longer realistic, so our focus is on the cup competitions."
The Chibuku Super Cup draw also produced several heavyweight ties.
Former champions FC Platinum will face Scottland in a clash that pits coach Norman Mapeza against his former club, while holders Dynamos begin their bid for a fourth successive title against either TelOne or Triangle, who meet in a preliminary fixture today.
Highlanders face Chicken Inn in a Bulawayo derby, while Manica Diamonds meet Agama for the right to play MWOS.
The quarter-finals are scheduled for September 12-13, the semi-finals for October 31-November 1, and the final on November 28, with the winners receiving US$75 000.
Chibuku Super Cup first round draw
Scottland v FC Platinum, Hardrock v Bulawayo Chiefs, Caps Utd v Simba Bhora, Dynamos v Triangle/TelOne, Herentals v FC Hunters, Ngezi Platinum Stars v ZPC Kariba, MWOS v Agama/Manica Diamonds, Highlanders v Chicken Inn.