The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
DARLINGTON DODO left CAPS United’s Friday afternoon training session an impressed man after his players showed him “an amazing hunger”, as Makepekepe intensify their bid for a sixth Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
CAPS United players who were ‘supposed to be recovering’ after featuring in the 2-1 win over ZPC Kariba on Thursday volunteered to take part in full training 24 hours later.
“The hunger is amazing, I was happy to see the boys eager to train,” Dodo said.
That hunger could be unleashed on Yadah who face a buoyant Green Machine at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon. But if you think Yadah will be ‘eaten’ easily, you may need to think again.
The Miracle Boys have a tendency of rising to the occasion against the so-called big teams.
Yadah coach Genesis Mangombe sees Makepekepe as their confidence booster in their quest to remain in the elite league.
“For me, a win against CAPS will mean survival. We would rather draw than lose because we are in a tough situation,” he said.
“I watched CAPS play on Thursday and we are not going to underrate them in our match, we will play football according to our philosophy, I am happy my players are putting more than 100 percent because they know our situation,” Mangombe said.
Yadah are on 31 points from 30 matches and sit just a place above the basement.
The relegation chop is hovering against the Miracle Boys who desperately need not one but four more miracles to avoid demotion.
Makepekepe have a situation of their own, albeit a positive one as they need to keep winning to remain in front and retain the two-point advantage they have over their nearest rivals Chicken Inn and FC Platinum.
“Every match is important and the Yadah game is no exception,” said Dodo.
“We are working hard and preparing in the best possible way, we will take each match as it comes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dynamos, who finally ended their drawing record which had stretched to 16 games, with a 2-1 midweek win over Chapungu, will take on Black Rhinos at Rufaro.
The soldiers are coming from a surprise 0-1 midweek loss to Yadah.
In Kariba, ZPC who have been invincible at home but poor on the road, could add to Harare City’s relegation woes when they welcome the Sunshine Boys to the heat of Nyamhunga.
Lloyd Chitembwe’s men, who are in 12th place with 36 points, remain in danger in the relegation mix which has been as riveting as the race for the title.
Fixtures:
Manica v Bulawayo Chiefs (Vengere)
Dynamos v Black Rhinos (Rufaro)
Yadah v CAPS United
ZPC v Harare City
