It’s all green at Makepekepe

THE sight of Caps United chief executive Joe Makuvire and returning striker Roderick Mutuma hugging it out at the RBZ Sports Club late Wednesday afternoon was symbolic of the good times rolling at Makepekepe.

The emotional hug was a result of an eight-minute frank discussion that also involved coach Mark Harrison.

Cap in hand, hands folded behind his back, Mutuma, who hastily quit the club a fortnight ago, listened intently as he got a stern “lecture” from Makuvire and Harrison.

His body language was in stark contrast to the usually exuberant and carefree “Prince”.

He looked sad, sorry and a little desperate.

After a while, Makuvire smiled and gave the tall striker a heartfelt hug as Harrison and the rest of the Caps United family looked on.

Like the biblical prodigal son, Mutuma had been accepted back into the Makepekepe family.

Clearly, things are back to normal at Caps United.

Confidence levels are high, thanks to a deal that brought in Farai Jere as the new president of the club with an 80 percent stake.

Twine Phiri, under whose leadership the team nearly sunk into an abyss, now owns 20 percent of the Green Machine.

A different tune was playing as fired-up Makepekepe players prepared for today’s league clash against a stubborn Tsholotsho FC.

“It’s nice to see the players smiling after a very, very long time. The misery was just too much, my man.

“But now, you can see there is a big vibe there. The players have received their first full pay in months and from now on, you will hear a different song from Caps United,” said a livened up Harrison on the sidelines of the team’s training session.

“Basa ratanga manje! (The real deal has begun),” the players could be heard shouting as they went through their paces.

“You have to sweat for the sweets, guys!” assistant coach Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi also weighed in from the edge of the 18-area as he led some shooting drills.

Controversial central defender Steven Makatuka and unpredictable defensive linkman Dominic Mukandi, who had also opted out, were also in the thick of things.

Skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi was as energetic as ever and young Blessing Nyamuzihwa’s antics cheered the group on.

Newly-appointed welfare manager Shakespeare Chinogwenya — a long-serving member of the club — will certainly have a more comfortable reign than his predecessor George Gumbo.

Chinogwenya hopes the excitement will translate into good results.

“What is left is for the players to deliver on the field of play, but morale is at its highest here,” he said.

Makuvire looks more relaxed now after a tumultuous period that saw him being one of the most hated men at the institution.

“This is not about grudges; we are coming from a poisoned environment and anything could happen.

“I do not even blame Mutuma; this is not about individuals, but about Caps United going forward and becoming the real Green Machine,” he said.

Harrison, who a few days ago was on the verge of being thrown out of his Borrowdale lodgings, will be moving into a new company house in Mandara at the end of June.

Instead of hiring taxis or phoning people to pick him up after training sessions, the Englishman now drives away in a neat Toyota Windom.

“It’s nice to have a little money in the bank; it is also nice to be mobile and not having to phone around for someone to pick me up or pay taxi men here and there.

“These are normal benefits for a coach, but we cherish them at Caps United because we know where we are coming from.

“The players have also paid their landlords, they are excited. I have been telling them to use the money wisely and not to forget where we are coming from.

“The challenge now is to manage this excitement because if it becomes excessive it will have a negative impact,” said Harrison as he walked towards his new ride.