The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
TROUBLED CAPS United have lost their last three matches and conceded seven times in 270 minutes of football.
They face a fresh player exodus, just under a fortnight after an industrial action nearly forced them to forfeit their match against Cranborne Bullets.
Six players — Dennis Dauda, Clive Augusto, Simba Chinani, Ronald Chitiyo, Rodwell Chinyengetere and Devon Chafa — were axed after the strike.
Chafa, Chitiyo and Chinyengetere have, however, since been pardoned, while goalkeeper Chinani moved to Division One outfit Simba Bhora.
Dauda is still club-hunting.
Striker Augusto returned to Chicken Inn, who play CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
The 27-year-old Augusto will, however, not feature against his former employers as he will only be eligible to play for the Gamecocks in July.
It has also been reported that Chitiyo is yet to confirm his stay at CAPS United amid speculation linking him with the ambitious Simba Bhora.
Veteran defender Jimmy Dzingai is also reportedly unhappy at Makepekepe and might soon leave the beleaguered Harare giants.
Such has been the not-so-rosy tale at CAPS United.
Lloyd Chitembwe’s men are 10th on the log with 17 points, 13 behind log leaders and bitter rivals Dynamos.
They have four wins in 14 matches and are only three points above the relegation zone as the season approaches the half-way stage.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas is not reading much into the troubles rocking CAPS United.
The veteran gaffer has been around for long to know that clubs like Dynamos and CAPS always find a way around their problems.
“We have to give them (CAPS United) the utmost respect even when they have problems in their camp.
“We cannot take them for granted; they have a good side and on their day they can beat any team in the land,” Antipas said.
This is the 10th league meeting in Harare between CAPS United and Chicken Inn.
The Gamecocks have three league wins against Makepekepe in the capital since 2011 when they made their Premiership debut.
But, Antipas, whose men are second on the log, is hoping for a good day in office.
“We are hoping to snatch a victory that will help us in our push. We are trying to work on consistency because that will put us in good stead,” he said.
Chicken Inn have drawn their last two assignments against Highlanders and Herentals and are hoping to bounce back against CAPS United.
CAPS United coach Chitembwe has been putting on a brave face despite challenges plaguing the team.
“Our preparations have been good unlike in the past two weeks.
“We just have to make sure that we take ourselves out of the situation and I am happy it can be done. The capacity is there.
“I have seen a lot of positives,” Chitembwe said.
Phineas Bamusi, Valentine Musarurwa, Marshal Machazane and Tatenda Tavengwa are some of the experienced players who could carry the day for CAPS.
Chicken Inn’s midfield has been hit by the absence of the influential Richard Hachiro, who has a back problem.
Hachiro, a former Herentals and CAPS United player, has been one of the most outstanding performers in the league this season.
The diminutive star has settled well in Bulawayo.
“We will miss Hachiro; he has been fantastic for us,” said Antipas.
Leading striker Brian Muza is available, as is fit-again Brett Amidu and ageless skipper Moses Jackson.
Perhaps Chicken Inn will be boosted by the fact that they have won their last two league matches against CAPS United in Harare.
The Gamecocks won 1-0 in 2018, before hammering Makepekepe 3-1 at the National Sports Stadium in 2019.
