The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
EVEN after conducting a rigorous three-hour training session on Thursday, Lloyd Chitembwe still had the energy to do some laps around the Standard Chartered Sports Club pitch.
He normally does this after every training session.
Although he turns 52 in June, his physique and stature belie his age.
However, he will also need to be mentally fit because, of late, managing CAPS United has become an onerous task.
Dogged by a severe financial crisis, the club almost failed to fulfil some fixtures last season.
Players were increasingly restive as they rarely got their salaries.
But they managed to turn the situation around towards the end of the season.
Salary arrears have been cleared and the players are happy, for now.
Key players — who include Devon Chafa, Godknows Murwira, Ben Musaka, Kelvin Madzongwe, Phineas Bamusi, Blessing Sarupinda, William Manondo, Clive Rupiya and goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga — have been hard at work.
They were in high spirits as they shared jokes during lunch soon after the gruelling and tactical training session.
And Chitembwe is praying the situation remains the same.
“This is the focus and this is the hope for everyone associated with the club.
“We hope things will remain as tranquil as they are at the moment,” he said.
“When there is tranquillity, then obviously you know players and coaches alike are able to work freely and achieve their intended targets.
“I think so far so good, and we hope it continues like this.”
CAPS United open their 2023 league campaign against Manica Diamonds at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
It has all the makings of an epic encounter. After all, it was Manica Diamonds who handed Makepekepe their worst defeat in decades — a 6-2 drubbing at Sakubva Stadium on February 27, 2022.
The reverse fixture in Harare ended in a nil-all stalemate.
Effectively, CAPS United failed to beat the Gem Boys in the league last season.
“We expect challenges (from Manica Diamonds) . . . We will see how they play, then we will get to react accordingly,” added Chitembwe.
Manica Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera did some astute business in the transfer market, bringing in at least nine new faces.
The former Dynamos pair of Ralph Kawondera and Trevor Mavhunga are now at Manica Diamonds, who are also now home to the ex-Triangle duo of Donald Ngoma and Gerald Bero.
Brett Amidu (Chicken Inn), Farai Banda (Black Rhinos), Panashe Mutasa (Tenax), Tawanda Chisi (Triangle) and Fortune Binzi (Yadah) are also now Gem Boys.
CAPS United have also done their business, albeit silently.
Versatile players Madzongwe and Murwira, as well as defender Innocent Zambezi, have gone green.
Makepekepe also signed former Highlanders central midfielder Adrian Silla and forward King Nadolo.
And Chitembwe now feels there is an improvement in terms of depth and quality in his side.
“I feel we have done some decent preparations to the start of the season.
“So, yeah, we are looking forward to the start of the new season,” says Chitembwe.
CAPS United also managed to tie down last season’s top goal scorer William Manondo, who was linked to a number of local and foreign clubs.
Manondo scored 17 goals to clinch the 2022 Golden Boot award.
“I think he (Manondo) is equally excited to be here.
“I am sure, at the moment, he is in a good space and, if anything, I am sure the club did take care of him last year, and he has great memories about this football club.
“It’s a blessing to have him and it’s an endorsement of what the club has also done to him,” added Chitembwe.
The 2016 championship-winning coach led CAPS United to 11th place last season, but the arrival of experienced players is expected to make them formidable campaigners.
■ Twitter: @LangtonGuraz
