A Green scoring machine

20 Oct, 2019 - 00:10 0 Views
A Green scoring machine

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda

IT’S a ruthless scoring machine that has left its enemies green with envy.

A machine that has only fired blanks on three occasions in the last 26 rounds, scoring a massive 45 goals – the highest tally in the league – in a trailblazing run that has left them gazing on a second title in four seasons.

While most championship winning teams are built on a strong defence, CAPS United are basing their title bid on some merciless attacking football.

The Premiership log leaders are now on a four-game winning streak and could stretch the gap between Chicken Inn and themselves to 10 points if they beat the Gamecocks in Bulawayo on Wednesday.

“I think we are ruthless because we have the personnel who can do the job. We do have creativity in the middle, creativity from the wide areas and creativity in terms of scoring in the centre.

“Everyone is playing his part. We are not relying on an individual for goals. If you look at our centre back Godwin Goriati, when we are going for corners he goes in there and adds value. He has chipped in with a goal or two,” boasted CAPS coach Darlington Dodo after the team’s training session at the Standard Chartered Sports Club last Thursday.

CAPS have scored 18 goals more than second-placed FC Platinum, eight more than title contenders Chicken Inn and one more than the combined tally of traditional rivals and fellow giants – Dynamos and Highlanders.

Makepekepe have scored 18 goals in the last 10 league games, compared to Pure Platinum’s nine and the Gamecocks’ 12.

While the Green Machine have only fired blanks on three occasions, FC Platinum have failed to find the net in 10 games, Chicken Inn have failed on eight occasions, while fourth-placed ZPC Kariba have been strerile in front of goal in 11 games.

CAPS failed to score in the 0-0 draw against Bosso in a game they had Dominic Chungwa’s last gasp strike controversially disallowed at Barbourfields in April.

They also failed to score against FC Platinum at Mandava and against ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga.

But, CAPS have scored in all the games they have played in Harare.

“If you go forward, you keep your opponents at bay. They will not come at you because you are going at them. As they say, sometimes the best way to defend is to attack,” Dodo said.

With Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo back to form, Joel Ngodzo green as ever, Phineas Bhamusi marauding on the flanks and the youthful Kelvin Ndebele proving to be one of the best finds of the season, it looks like it will need some shift to stop Makepekepe.

CAPS’ prowess lies in their mastery of wing play. Most of their goals have come via that creative hub.

When Gabriel Nyoni left for South Africa, Clive Rupiya and Ndebele stepped up, with the latter scoring what could be a contender for the goal of the season in last weekend’s win against Hwange. “We have got very good wingers and we know how to use them. We lost Nyoni, but Ndebele has filled in that gap, so has Rupiya and you have Bhamusi on the other side, we are still the CAPS United that has been ruthless from the beginning of the season,” Dodo said.

Chitiyo started in CAPS’ last three matches. He scored twice and added two assists. He scored in last weekend’s 3-1 win against Hwange at the National Sports and had created both goals when CAPS edged Mushowani Stars 2-1 at Trojan the previous week.

Chitiyo also scored when Makepekepe staged a late comeback to win 2-1 against Triangle on October 2. It’s also CAPS’ intensity, especially late in the game, that has won them a lot of plaudits.

Credit has also been given to their new fitness trainer Vincent Chabwana, while 1996 Soccer Star of the Year Stewart Murisa, who is one of Dodo’s assistants, has also brought in some attacking expertise.

“We have got Stewart (Murisa), he has certain knowledge in some areas, and we also have Taku Shariwa. Our goalkeepers coach Witness Munkuli is experienced, if you look at that department we are covered.

“We are no longer hesitant to throw in any keeper amongst the trio of Prosper Chigumba, Tonderai Mateyaunga and Chris Mverechena because of the good work put in by Munkuli.

“Our fitness trainer might still be learning the ropes, but he has got a lot under his belt, he is knowledgeable. He gives these boys a lot in terms of what he knows best, he has added value to the team.

“He is the main reason why we are finishing our games on a high. If you look at our games, in the last 20 minutes we are very dangerous at times, it’s because of the fitness levels, they are high.’’ However, in as much as the Green Machine have been ruthless in attack, they have also been generous at the back.

Makepekepe have conceded 31 times in 26 matches and have one of the worst defensive records this season, a fact acknowledged by Dodo. “The good thing is that we have actually improved defensively in recent weeks. We conceded four against Chapungu and three against Bulawayo Chiefs in my early games in charge, but from there I think we have been a bit solid.”

CAPS have conceded three goals in their last four matches. But, now that Dodo is on the cusp of winning his first Premiership title, how has the former Gunners, Sporting Lions and Bulawayo City gaffer been managing the expectations at CAPS? “l am just taking each game as it comes. We can only talk of the championship on the last day of the season.

“Right now we are focusing on the game against Chicken Inn, not any other game. The Chicken Inn game is tough, but with the attitude I am getting from these players, we have a strong chance. “It’s very unfortunate and I am hurt by the loss of Method Mwanjale through injury. Method’s leadership qualities on the pitch were giving us the edge in terms of experience and quality. But, I know these boys are going to do it for him,” said Dodo.

“Yes we no longer have Method, but we still have Lincoln Zvasiya, Justice Jangano, Spencer Masunda and Goriati.”

During Dodo’s coaching career, he has claimed silverware through two Division One championships with Sporting Lions (2001) and Devichem, which later became Shooting Stars in 2005.

Sadly, the coach lost his son in an accident that occured near Zororo Cemetery along  Seke Road in the early hours of yesterday.

“It’s a painful day for Caps United, I have just called him (Dodo), he is devastated,” Caps United president Farai Jere told The Sunday Mail Sport late yesterday

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds