The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
CONTRASTING situations in the two camps might have blighted the build up to this tie but CAPS United against Harare City is always a clash to savour.
Especially when it is Lloyd Chitembwe, a CAPS United legend, coming up against the club that gave him fame.
Then there is the added factor that Chitembwe will be up against his former subordinate at CAPS United – Darlington Dodo.
Thus this afternoon’s Chibuku Super Cup Group One tie will be more of a Chitembwe versus Dodo affair when CAPS United face Harare City at the National Sports Stadium (kick off 3pm).
The game will be streamed live on Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN).
Harare City are the specialists in this tournament, having won the Chibuku Super Cup twice after reaching the final four times since 2014, but events in their camp during the week were a cause for concern.
City players boycotted training for the better part of the week as they demanded their outstanding salaries, which reportedly date back to January.
Their management subsequently made a part payment on Thursday before training resumed with Chitembwe’s men holding another session at Motor Action Sports Club yesterday.
Harare City’s executive has been making frantic efforts to restore normalcy at the club amid speculation that some councillors at Town House are against the idea of the project.
However, Harare Mayor Stewart Musarurwa Mutizwa has been unequivocal in his support for the Premier Soccer League side.
Club chief executive officer, Tafadzwa Bhasera, revealed that the players would now be paid their outstanding salaries “at least fortnightly.”
“It’s unfortunate that the players chose to boycott training especially after the patron of the club, His Worship the Mayor, assured the team that all will be well.
“We understand the players and technical team have obligations to fulfil and we respect that.
“We also want to assure them that it may seem as if things are moving at a snail’s pace but all this is going to be a thing of the past.
“The club is aware that most of the money has been eroded by inflation, so we are making frantic efforts to pay the boys the outstanding salaries at least fortnightly.
“We love our team and we appreciate the endurance and we would want to make sure sanity is restored,” she said.
Harare City played out a 1-1 draw against ZPC Kariba last weekend before plunging into this turmoil.
On the contrary, it has all been tranquil in the CAPS United camp, although the absence of the lethal trio of Phineas Bamusi, Leeroy Mavhunga and Ian Nyoni through injury, could weaken Makepekepe’s attacking line.
And Dodo, who always enjoys playing against Chitembwe, is not reading much “into the goings on next door.”
“We will lose focus if we concentrate on the goings on next door. We just have to concentrate on what we have control over, that is playing our own game,” Dodo told The Sunday Mail Sport yesterday.
“Our preparations have been good, we are happy with the progress.”
Dodo was Chitembwe’s assistant at CAPS United before the latter crossed the floor in August 2019 and the duo has clashed once since their separation.
That was on September 18, 2019 when Dodo got the better of his former boss in a league match at Rufaro.
Newman Sianchali, who is now at Dynamos, scored the solitary goal.
“Playing Harare City with Lloyd as the coach is always exciting and we have prepared well to come out victorious,” Dodo said.
He has assembled what looks a formidable side on paper.
The former Herentals duo of centre back Carlos Mavhurume and midfielder Richard Hachiro are now at CAPS United where they have been joined by James Marufu, Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe, Nyoni and Mavhunga.
Dodo also raided Harare City, bringing in the trio of Munyaradzi Diro-Nyenye, Tatenda Tumba and Ishmael Wadi who scored a brace in a come from behind 2-2 draw against Yadah last weekend.
Former Dynamos goalkeeper Simba Chinani is also now part of the Green Machine where he is fighting for the first team jersey with Tonderai Mateyaunga and another former Harare City player Tatenda Munditi.
CAPS United also managed to retain the key trio of Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, Valentine Musarurwa and Blessing Sarupinda.
Resultantly, there are huge expectations amongst the Makepekepe faithful this could be their chance to finally land the Chibuku Super Cup.
Dodo acknowledges as much.
“CAPS United are one of the football power houses and expectations from all quarters are always high and we know that.
“Hence we are preparing to make sure we grind good results. The composition of the team is good and we want to do well in this cup starting with Sunday’s (today) game,” said the former Bulawayo City coach.
Fixtures:
ZPC Kariba v Herentals (NSS 11am), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Whawha (Mandava 11am), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields 1pm), CAPS United v Harare City (NSS 3pm), Tenax v Manica Diamonds (Sakubva 1pm)
