The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda and Ishemunyoro Chingwere
CAPS UNITED’s activity on the transfer market has been held back by the continued absence of new coach Mark Harrison who is yet to return from South Africa where he is ostensibly finalising his relocation to Zimbabwe.
The nomadic English coach has been missing in action since Makepekepe begun their preparations for the 2015 season over two weeks ago.
Makepekepe, who finished a respectable third last season, lost a number of key players in the off-season and are expected to beef up their squad ahead of another onslaught at the league championship that has eluded them for almost a decade now.
However, the club, which was supposed to have finalised its squad last week, is yet to strike any meaningful deal and has since extended their trial sessions to Thursday as they await the return of Harrison.
Caps United manager George Gumbo confirmed that his club was still to sign any new players, although he sounded optimistic activity on the market would commence “next week” (this week).
“Nothing yet on paper; we haven’t concluded any deal so far. We agreed that will only happen when Harrison is back.
“In the meantime, we have extended our trials until next week (this week), at least to afford the trialists more time to express their skills,” said Gumbo, who could not comment on when the coach would be back to commence duty.
There has been a high turnout of players seeking employment at Makepekepe, who are holding their trials at the Reserve Bank Sports Club under the watchful eyes of assistant coaches Brenna Msiska and Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi.
The technical team is hard pressed to replace key players who dumped the financially troubled side in the off-season.
Former skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani, veteran goalie Tafadzwa Dube, industrious linkman Tendai Samanja and the rising Kelvin Bulaji have all deserted the Green Machine.
Dube and Samanja followed coach Taurai Mangwiro to Harare City, Khumbuyani joined cash-rich How Mine, while Bulaji has since settled at bitter rivals Dynamos.
Talented left-back Ronald Pfumbidzai is currently on trials at Kaizer Chiefs, while striker Dominic Chungwa has been pushing for a clearance to join DeMbare.
Centre-back David Chipala is also demanding a clearance and has not been attending pre-season training.
Caps United’s returning chief executive officer Joe Makuvire said there was no reason for Makepekepe fans to panic as Msiska and Kwashi are holding fort.
He also revealed that Harrison was now expected back in the country on Tuesday.
“Harrison has been finalising his relocation and he is expected back in the country next week (this week) and that is when we can start working on the signings.
“The assistant coaches have been doing the preliminary work and only he (Harrison) has the final say on which players we will retain and any possible reinforcements,” said Makuvire.
Among those who have been attending United’s training sessions and hoping to catch the eye of Harrison when he returns are former Chicken Inn defender Charles Mutero, the former Harare City trio of Arnold Chaka, Witness Nyamutsaka and Tongai Chiworeso as well as goalie Itayi Chiwara, who is seeking a return to Makepekepe.
The Shabanie Mine duo of ’keeper’ Victor “Mawoko” Twaliki and Carlos Mesi is also eyeing a move to the Green Machine.
The good news, though, for United supporters is that utility player Hardlife Zvirekwi has committed his future at Makepekepe, while steely defender Steven Makatuka resurfaced last week.
The likes of Moses Muchenje, Dominic Mukandi, Godknows Mangani, Carlton Muzambwa, Takudzwa Mahori and Pervington Zimunya are also still at Makepekepe.
