The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda and Ishemunyoro Chingwere
CAPS United’s new English coach Mark Harrison has been issued a work permit and will start work this Wednesday at an opening session expected to be attended by a number of senior players who had been linked with moves away from the Green Machine.
Makepekepe have confirmed that utility player Hardlife Zvirekwi and talented leftback Ronald Pfumbidzai, who is being linked with a move to the money splashing How Mine are staying put while the likes of Steven Makatuka, David Chipala, Asani Nhongo, Dominic Mukandi and Moses Muchenje are still at United.
The Malawian duo of striker Ishmael Thindwa and defender George Nyirenda, who had gone back home for the festive season are also expected to resume training with the rest of the squad.
Harrison’s immediate task will be to add a couple of signatures to the Caps United roaster following the departure of skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani, goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube as well as Tendai Samanja.
Buffaloes’ Admire Dzumbunu was yesterday at Arcadia Sports Club where Makepekepe ran the ruler over lower division players sparking speculation he might be eyeing a move to the Green Machine.
Shabanie Mine goalkeeper Victor “Mawoko” Twaliki and former goalie Itayi Chiwara are being earmarked to replace the departed Dube while Jorum Muchambo and Chris Mverechena will also fight for the number one jersey.
Forgotten striker and former son Leonard Tsipa, who led Makepekepe’s attack when they won back-to-back league titles in 2004 and 2005, has also expressed interest in rejoining the club that gave him fame.
Former Motor Action and Chicken Inn central defender Charles Mutero has also availed himself and is expected at Arcadia Sports Club when Harrison checks in from South Africa where he had gone to finalise his severance terms with his former paymasters Black Leopards.
Caps United, however, appear to have lost the battle to retain the services of the Black Mambas duo of Nicholas “Tico Tico” Alifandika and Honey Chimutimunzeve, who are reportedly heading to big spending Harare City.
Makepekepe’s new manager George Gumbo, who led the club’s scouts across the country last week, gave encouraging news to the United fans who had resigned to losing the bulk of their squad which battled empty stomachs and finished a remarkable fourth.
“That (talk of them losing the bulk of their players) was just speculation. As it is, only Kelvin Bulaji, Samanja, Dube and Tapiwa Khumbuyani have left, the rest of our players are reporting for training next week (this week).
“We are expecting all our players that the media has been speculating on, I can confirm that Zvirekwi and Pfumbidzai will be with us for the 2015 season.
“We will go full throttle next week (this week) when the coach arrives, the good news is that he has been issued a work permit and can now start serious business,” said Gumbo.
Yesterday’s trial session was overseen by Harrison’s deputies Brenna Msiska and Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi but it appeared the duo was not impressed with the talent on show.
