The Sunday Mail
Sports Editor
THE identity of the 2017 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions remains the stuff of excitable conjecture, but Lloyd Chitembwe is already crafting a smash and grab job – for next term.
Caps United are resigned to the fact that the big eared trophy they are in possession of will be heading to a different cabinet at the end of this term.
However, the defending champions are determined to recapture the gong next season and work towards putting together another championship winning unit has begun in earnest.
“We want to get an idea of the future of the football club. We want to build a team that can win us cups, a team that can win us the title,” revealed Chitembwe in the build up to the 3-1 midweek humbling of Highlanders.
The Caps United gaffer, whose team welcomes Hwange to the National Sports Stadium today, does not give away much but his statement of intent is a clear sign that he intends to stay put at Makepekepe despite some eye catching offers from Tanzania.
Chitembwe, who occasionally compares notes with Gavin Hunt of Absa Premiership champions Bidvest Wits, will also be on the lookout for a defensive midfielder.
Devon Chafa appears to be penning a fairytale farewell to the Green Machine, delivering performances that are overflowing with both class and maturity.
Chafa scored a stunning volley against Bosso, to tick the remaining box he had as an individual this season, and looks to be in with a strong Soccer Star of the Year selection shout.
The midfielder has been on point all season, proving his worth both in a credible Caf Champions League run as well as a title defence effort that ultimately fell short because of the departure of key players at a crucial stage of the season.
Makepekepe paid the price for success on the continent in mid-season.
Ronald Chitiyo, Abbas Amidu and Ronald Pfumbidzai were snapped up by foreign clubs who saw the trio dazzle in the Caf Champions League.
Several clubs also showed interest in Chafa and they look set to follow up when his contract lapses at the end of the season.
However, the midfielder – who turns 27 in December – insists he is focused on giving his best to Caps United while he is still there.
“I would be lying if I say playing abroad is something I don’t yearn for. It’s always motivating to know that there are foreign clubs that are following your progress but everything has its own season.
“We will talk about that with my handlers at the end of the season. Right now it’s all about making sure that I help the club finish in a respectable position on at the end of the season,” said Chafa who has five Premiership championship medals to his name.
