The Sunday Mail
Ishemunyoro Chingwere
CAPS UNITED are having the last laugh having been ridiculed for some of their off season transfer market business. When it was announced that Makepekepe were looking at signing Edmore Sibanda, Archford Gutu, Simba Nhivi, Devon Chafa and Method Mwanjali, the club was accused of going for players who were past their prime.
Their continued reliance on old war horse Leonard Tsipa was also said to be a sign of how desperate Caps United had become.
However, with four Premier Soccer League matches, Makepekepe have destiny in their hands and will win their first title in a decade if they collect all the 12 points on offer.
The players many deemed excess baggage are close to delivering gold for club president Farai Jere.
Veteran Tsipa has turned back the hands of time and is leading the goal scoring charts as the league race enters the home stretch.
Mwanjali is no longer at Makepekepe but he earned the club good money when he moved to Tanzania mid-season on the back of some good showings.
Chafa has turned the dark corner and has given Lloyd Chitembwe’s men the much needed pivot in the middle of the park allowing ball players like Joel Ngodzo and Rusike a chance to thrive. Chitembwe lauds his players for rising to the occasion.
“Whoever had the mentality that we bought old horses or over the hill players in the offseason got it all wrong, it was unfortunate and misplaced,” he said.
“When I look at a player I look at his abilities, what he can bring to the team and not his age. I then work on the motivation aspect as well as the physical side of the player.
“If you look at Devon (Chafa) or Leonard (Tsipa) and Edmore Sibanda in terms of ability they are top, top players. They cannot suddenly lose those abilities because of age.
“It is all about putting them in the right shape and frame of mind but credit goes to the boys for responding in the manner they did.”
