Caps United co-director Farai Jere believes that his side’s future is bright and their goalless draw against Buffaloes in a Castle Premiership football match in Mutare on Sunday was a major turning point.
The Taurai Mangwiro-coached team had gone for seven matches without collecting a point. The fading Harare giants are currently lying on 12th position with 20 points from 20 matches and the side’s strike-force led by Evans Gwekwerere, Clive Kawinga and Shingirai Kawondera is yet to score a goal in six matches.
Jere, who was part of the crowd in Mutare, spoke to NewsDay Sport after the match and said he was very happy with the result as this will boost the players confidence.
He added that some of the senior players had sabotaged the team.
“We realised where we were making mistakes and I am very happy we addressed the situation. We had to fire some of the senior players because they sabotaged the team. In today’s match (Sunday) the fighting spirit was just good and you could see some direction,” he said.
“I think with the youngsters we have in our team, our squad’s future is bright and I am happy with the draw against Buffaloes. I think this is our major turning point, as this will boost our confidence in the coming matches.”
Goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda and defender Nyasha Mukumbi were fired last Thursday, joining David Sengu who had been fired earlier.
Since he took over from Northern Irishman Sean Connor, Mangwiro has lost three games in a row, against Highlanders, Black Mambas and Dynamos, respectively.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“It was a balanced affair. We failed to convert the few chances which came on our way. But I believe we have a starting point,” Mangwiro said.
Buffaloes assistant coach Sicho Masachi said they had failed to put away their chances.
“It was the same mistake again. We failed to put away the chances which came our way. I think Malvern Dumbura let us down. In fact, in the first half, he failed to score easy chances.”
Malvern Dumbura missed a golden opportunity with only four minutes into play after he failed to beat Caps United goalkeeper Itayi Chiwara in a face-to-face situation.
And seven minutes before half time Buffaloes defender Muchineripi Waerera rattled the crossbar after he connected a cross from Prosper Matizanadzo.
In the second half, Caps United were the better side and they could have broken the jinx after Blessing Zabula whipped in a cross which saw Rahman Kutsanzira failing to push the ball into the nets with only Buffaloes goalkeeper Hope Bere to beat.
