The Sunday News
CAPS UNITED coach Mark Harrison has allayed fears of his lads failing to make the trip for the high profile Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon saying his players were ready for the battle.
Caps United is facing a financial crisis and rumours were swelling yesterday that the players would not fulfill today’s match over monies owed to them by the Green Machine authorities.
However, in a telephone interview yesterday afternoon, Harrison said his side were 20 kilometres out of Bulawayo and were raring to go ahead of today’s potential explosive encounter.
“We have talked to the players and everything is in order and we are playing tomorrow (today). Yes we have problems in camp and they are always emerging each time we seem to be facing a crucial match but it is something we hope would improve soon,” said Harrison.
“This is a problem affecting the whole team not just players and it becomes difficult getting to motivate the boys in such circumstances but I think we have the will to pull through.”
Caps United players boycotted a fixture against How Mine in Bulawayo last month in protest over unfulfilled promises.
Recently the English Caps mentor was himself under threat of being kicked out of his lodgings due to rental arrears.
Harrison said Caps would direct all energies on the pitch this afternoon, and would not be swayed by financial problems engulfing the club.
He said he had faith in his squad, which he believed had a strong character and could rise to the occasion and upstage Highlanders at Emagumeni.
Going into the match, dubbed “Battles of the Cities”, Harrison said they would not read much into the form book as such games generated an electric atmosphere, and were well hyped to create a derby mood hence everything was left to the players to walk away with the three points.
Caps United will be missing the services of left back Ronald Pfumbidzai and central defender Carlton Munzabwa who are out due to injury with George Nyirenda and Dominic Mukandi expected to cover for the two respectively.
However, Makepekepe will be looking to veteran goalkeeper Victor Twaliki, captain Hardlife Zvirekwi, find-of-the-season Crispen Machisi, Leonard Fiyado, Moses Muchenje, Stephen Makatuka and Rodrick Mutuma to win the game for them.
Highlanders has been struggling on the pitch and will be hard pressed to walk away with a victory from the game and placate their restless supporters who held a demonstration after Bosso lost against Chapungu in their last home game.
The team has only managed 1-0 victories and they have not been convincing in their matches, something that has piled pressure on coach, Bongani Mafu.
Mafu refused to read into the problems facing Caps United at the moment saying they would be playing at full strength.
Bosso will be missing the services of Mthulisi Maphosa, Douglas Sibanda, Thembelani Mthunzi while King Nadolo and Obadiah Tarumbwa will have to pass late fitness tests this morning.
Highlanders is likely to see a new mix in the strike force with the recovery of Ozias Zibande and Simba Sithole, and Mafu is certain to field more than one striker in their quest for victory.
In Harare, defending champions Dynamos host pacesetters Chicken Inn at Rufaro Stadium, while Kelvin Kaindu’s Triangle United have a tricky home encounter against Harare City. Hwange will be searching for their first victory of the season when they take on Dongo Sawmill at the Colliery.
Fixtures
Today: Highlanders v Caps United (Barbourfields, 3PM SuperSport), Buffaloes v Chapungu (Sakubva), Hwange v Dongo Sawmill (Colliery), Triangle United v Harare City (Gibbo), Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro).
