The Sunday Mail
THE Bob 91 Super Cup play-off against Highlanders at Barbourfields provides Caps United with another vital progress check on new coach Mark Harrison’s work.
Harrison got off to a perfect start when his charges dispatched Dynamos 6-5 on penalties to lift the inaugural Sino-Zim Cup at Rufaro last Sunday.
With a spring in their step, Makepekepe will be looking at taking another step forward when they face a Bosso side that is also feeling confident following the arrival of Bongani Mafu.
Harrison and Mark Mathe are overseeing the Bob Super Cup squad that has the bulk of the players that featured against DeMbare last week while assistant coaches Brenna Msiska and Tostao Kwashi are in Malawi with a side that is taking part in the Zambezi Cup.
The much-talked about Rodreck Mutuma headlines a cast of senior players who will do battle against Bosso while the Malawian trio of Ishmael Thindwa, George Nyirenda and Gerald Phiri are part of the Zambezi Cup squad.
Harrison has made his intentions clear – he wants to build a strong Makepekepe side that can compete at the highest level and reclaim its long lost Cup Kings tag.
He has slowly been introducing his own brand of football at the Green Machine and believes the victory against DeMbare will go a long way “in making my boys believe in themselves”.
“The victory over Dynamos was a morale booster for the boys and for me personally, it was good to win my first competitive match in Zimbabwe.
“We are moving in the right direction, the boys are responding well to my way of doing things. You see, we are trying to instil a professional approach to the way we do things here, get used to winning high profile games and develop a side that can compete at the highest level.
“I am confident within the next three or so months you will begin to see what I am talking about.
“The victory against Dynamos is past us now, we have to look at future assignments and there is no time to relax,” said Harrison.
Makepekepe also have a slight headache with the defensive linkman position which has been weakened by the departure of the dependable Tendai Samanja.
It is in this light that the Green Machine’s technical department is assessing former Bosso central midfielder Hillary Madzivanyika.
“We have got two guys on trial, that is Josta (Joel Ngodzo) and Hillary but I must say it is still early days for the duo.
“Josta has been here for almost a week now but Hillary has just joined us late in the week, so we will see what transpires as the days progress,” said Harrison.
For Bosso coach Mafu, today’s clash comes at a time when he is emphasising the need to instil a winning mentality.
“We will do our best to try and win this big game and then try to take that winning mentality into the new season,” said Mafu.
The winner of today’s clash will play holders DeMbare in the final of the Bob 91 Super Cup at Rufaro next Sunday.
