The Sunday Mail
HARARE CITY mentor Mark Harrison has described grounded Caps United skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi as a top professional and a strong individual who can overcome the pain and trauma of losing an arm after a car accident last week.
Harrison worked with Zvirekwi during his six-month stint at Caps United in 2015 and believes the defender has the character needed to forge ahead with life after his left arm was amputated. “Zvirekwi was never a problem when I worked with him, he was always a top professional,” said the Briton. “It’s an extremely sad situation he is in, it’s heart breaking for him but I know he is a strong character who can and will fight back.”
Harrison starts his tenure at Harare City with a date against Makepekepe at the National Sports Stadium.
“The pressure is really on Caps; they have got a lot of experienced players and I would expect they are thinking they will win the game. But, we will just go there and enjoy, play a nice brand of football and see what happens,” said Harrison, who replaced Philani “Beefy” Ncube at the beginning of the year.
Harare City were relegated from the top flight last season but were invited by the PSL to fill in the vacant slot created by How Mine’s last minute pull-out early this month.
Although they lost a couple of players — including rising goalkeeper Tatenda Munditi, Jimmy Tigere and Kuda Kumwala — Harare City are still home to skipper Tendai Samanja, Maxwell Nyamupangendengu, Ray Uchena, Martin Vengesayi and William Manondo. Tatenda Tumba, Takudzwa Chimwemwe, Wilfred Muvirimi and Learnmore Muyambo have also decided to stay with the club.
Harare City took on board former Caps United midfielder Moses Muchenje, veteran striker Kuda Musharu and 32-year-old keeper Ryan Harrison, who is Mark’s son.
Harrison has roped in national Under-17 skipper Calum English-Brown, who plays as an attacking midfielder.
“We have covered some ground in terms of preparing this team but remember only a few weeks ago were a Division One team and we were preparing for that league. I think it will take a while for the team to completely gel,” said the City coach.
Fixtures
Highlanders v Black Rhinos (BF), Shabanie Mine v Triangle (Mandava), Caps United v Harare City (NSS)
