CAPS United are currently perched at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, but for head coach Takesure Chiragwi, the view from the summit is becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
While the points continue to accumulate, the goals are not flowing at a rate befitting a championship charge, and Chiragwi has challenged his squad to develop a ruthless streak before their luck runs out.
The Green Machine has enjoyed a scintillating start to the campaign, but has developed a worrying habit of keeping opponents in games they should have put away. Despite dominating possession and territorial battles, Caps United are yet to truly put an opponent to the sword.
Statistically, it has been a curious run. They are yet to score three goals in a single match this season.
Their biggest winning margins remain 2-0 victories over Hardrock and Manica Diamonds, while six of their other wins have come by a single goal.
This lack of a killer instinct has already proved costly, a frustrating 1-1 draw against newly promoted Hunters, as well as defeats to Ngezi Platinum Stars and Bulawayo Chiefs.
However, the alarm bells rang loudest during Sunday’s Harare derby against Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium.
In a match they could easily have won by five or six goals, Caps United instead produced a masterclass in missed opportunities.
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After Ishmael Wadi gave them a 10th-minute lead, the floodgates should have opened. Instead, Chawananga Kaonga, Takunda Benhura, and Alleny Murombedzi — who missed twice in one-on-one situations — were all denied by Dynamos goalkeeper Hamorny Nare.
The wastefulness nearly proved fatal when Jairos Kasondo equalised from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute for Dynamos.
It took a last-gasp penalty from Kudzai Chigwida to secure a 2-1 win and spare United’s blushes.
While Chiragwi remains satisfied with his team’s creativity, he admits frustration at their inability to finish games earlier.
"What we just need is to make sure that we get more goals," Chiragwi said, reflecting on the derby drama.
"It's the players' responsibility to make sure when they get into those good positions, they just have to bury the chances. Then we make sure we are safe because we end up putting ourselves under pressure while we are in control of the game. But thank God that we managed to collect three points and win 2-1."
Attention now shifts to another stern test this afternoon, when last season’s runners-up, MWOS, visit Rufaro Stadium, buoyed by a 1-0 win over Chicken Inn and a hard-fought draw away to ZPC Kariba.
The stakes could hardly be higher.
Caps United sit on 25 points after 11 matches, but they are being closely pursued by a ruthless Hardrock side, just a point behind.
Unlike the Green Machine, Hardrock have been prolific in front of goal, scoring 19 times already. Their campaign includes a 6-1 demolition of Hunters, a 4-1 hammering of Herentals, and a 3-0 win over TelOne last weekend.
A win today will keep Caps United firmly in control of the title race. Anything less risks opening the door to a Hardrock side that does not just win matches — they finish them.
For Chiragwi, the message is blunt: kill games early, or risk seeing the title dream killed instead.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matchday twelve fixtures
Today: Agama v Scottland (Wadzanayi), Caps United v MWOS (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v TelOne (Baobab), Hardrock v Highlanders (Chahwanda), ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga), Manica Diamonds v Hunters (Sakubva), Chicken Inn v Simba Bhora (Barbourfields), Triangle v Bulawayo Chiefs (Gibbo).
Tomorrow: Herentals v Dynamos (Rufaro)
