The Sunday News
Langton Nyakwenda, Harare Bureau
PLAYMAKER Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo has only been at Caps United for three weeks but that has been long enough for him to appreciate the serious work culture at the champions.
Makepekepe scooped Chitiyo’s signature right on Caf’s deadline day and registered the former Dynamos and Harare City star in their 25-men squad for the Champions League on 31 December.
Although he went to Caps United via Harare City, comparisons between DeMbare and Makepekepe will always crop up and Chitiyo has already made his conclusion in the three weeks he has been at the Green Machine.
“I have been here for a few weeks but I have seen a lot at this club that I didn’t know. Yes, both Dynamos and Caps United are the same in terms of the pressure that comes with playing for them but here at Makepekepe the work ethic is more intense,” revealed Chitiyo.
The 24-year-old attacking linkman took part in an intensive training session held at Zifa Village last Thursday and came out of it convinced that Caps United deserve their champions status.
“My new teammates are hard workers, I can even see Devon (Chafa) has changed. I played with him at Dynamos but I can see his work rate has improved. Everyone puts in a lot of effort and you can clearly feel that everyone wants to be a winner. I am not surprised now why Caps United are the champions because with this kind of work ethic they deserved to win,” said Chitiyo.
Caps United’s Thursday training session, which lasted almost three hours, was also overseen by Caf instructors Nelson Matongorere and Taurai Mangwiro. The duo is conducting a Caf A Licence course at Zifa Village and used the Caps United training session for some illustrations.
Chitiyo has also been charmed by Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe’s “great” motivational skills and grasp of the game.
And the diminutive ball artist believes his career will develop under Chitembwe.
“The coach has got good motivational skills, he has engaged me one on one several times and he wants me to feel at home. He has got the football brains, so I guess I will make progress here,’’ he said.
Chitiyo is expected to make his Caps United debut this afternoon when the Green Machine hosts Mozambican champions Ferroviario Beria in a friendly match at the National Sports Stadium.
Pundits are wondering how Chitiyo and Joel “Josta” Ngodzo will coexist given that they both play almost a similar role.
However, Chitiyo is not worried.
“That is the coach’s job. As players we just have to work hard although I believe Josta (Ngodzo) and I can both add value to the team. The coach will work that one out,” Chitiyo said.
Apart from Chitiyo, Caps United also signed tall defender Last Sithole from FC Platinum and promoted goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba from sister club Gunners much to the delight of Chitembwe.
“When you have a player like Ronald (Chitiyo) I think you have good quality. I have Tsipa, Nhivi, Tafadzwa Rusike and Abbas Amidu . . . I think we are okay on the offensive side. I think we have the best attackers in the land and if you have the best you do not care about the rest. I have known Last (Sithole) for a long time. He has great technique, good height and composure. I think he is one of the best defenders in the country,” said the Caps United coach.
Caps United are using today’s friendly match to prepare for their Caf Champions League preliminary round clash against Lesotho side Lioli next month.
