CAPS UNITED Coach, Mangwiro fumes

CAPS UNITED coach Taurai Mangwiro has blasted a section of the club’s supporters for fanning “unnecessary” discontent by accusing him of being a Dynamos son who cannot mastermind victory over their arch-rivals.

Makepekepe went through a rough week seeking to rejuvenate their spirits in the aftermath of the 1-2 loss to DeMbare, with Mangwiro a subject of nasty verbal abuse from irate fans.

A bad result against the equally desperate Gamecocks could further stoke the flames at The Green Machine.

While accepting the importance of a victory in today’s match, Mangwiro is demanding realism and an end to the persistent blame-games at Caps United.

“I am very disappointed with a certain section of our supporters who are always blaming this or that player, the coach and sometimes the executive whenever we lose a match,” he said.

“That is not what we want at Caps United; we need to stop the blame game. I do not want people who drag me backwards. I have a three-year contract, a long-term plan for the club and all I ask for are realistic demands and expectations from the fans, given where Caps is coming from.

“I hate it when some section of the supporters become so personal in their criticism . . . when last did I benefit directly from Dynamos? When is this ‘Tau is DeMbare’ mantra going to end”

“Looking at how my team was all over Dynamos in that first half, hitting the bar twice or thrice . . . would you say that team was playing for a coach who didn’t want DeMbare to lose? Come on, I am a Caps United servant and am determined to get the results for The Green Machine.”

Caps United are four points behind log leaders Highlanders and with the league slowly moving towards the business end, Mangwiro believes the arrival of tear-away winger Nicholas “Tico” Alifandika and striker Honey Chimutimunzeve from Black Mambas gives his team some added fire power.

Caps United welcome back defensive stalwart Steven Makatuka who returns from suspension, while skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani has fully recovered from a foot injury.

Centre back David Chipala is still out with a knee injury, the versatile Dominic Mukandi misses out through suspension, while pint-sized linkman Moses Muchenje has been excused to attend family business.

It also looks like goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube could return to the starting 11 at the expense of Jorum Muchambo who was heavily criticised for the manner he conceded DeMbare’s first goal last weekend.