The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda and Fatima Bulla
CAPS UNITED’S anxious wait for the appearance of newly appointed coach Mark Harrison is over after the Englishman finally arrived yesterday afternoon.
Harrison, who has been holed up in South Africa while his work permit was being sorted out, amid a flurry of differing theories surrounding the real reason why he was failing to commence duty, touched down at the Harare International Airport just after midday.
The highly nomadic coach, who dumped South African First Division side Black Leopards for Makepekepe, is expected to hold a meeting with his assistants Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi and Brenna Msiska tomorrow morning before starting his duties on Tuesday.
However, Harrison could not watch his side’s match with newly promoted side Dongo Sawmill at Vhengere as the two teams drew nil all.
Former Highlanders coach Mark Mathe is also expected to be unveiled as the second assistant coach during the week, leaving the legendary Msiska to concentrate on coaching the goalkeepers.
But it is Harrison’s arrival after weeks of speculation that will certainly make the day for Makepekepe fans as the club is now expected to begin serious business.
Speaking soon after his arrival at the airport, accompanied by his wife, Harrison said he had been holed in South Africa for close to four weeks as he went through the rigorous clearance processes.
“We have a lot of catching up to do as well. Obviously missing the last three to four weeks of training hasn’t been ideal. So we got a lot of catching up to do and you know it won’t be overnight job. But we will get there.
“My expectation is to be successful eventually. I mean we have a lot of work to do, I know that. We have lost a few players from last year so we are on a bit of a rebuilding exercise at the moment but eventually we will get it right and we will be successful,” Harrison added.
The former Black Leopards gaffer said there was no problem with his previous club after breaching contractual agreements that tied him to the club until end of this season.
“There is no problem with the former club (Black Leopards); none whatsoever no need to even talk about it, no issues,” Harrison said.
Kwashi and Msiska have been holding fort in the absence of Harrison, conducting trials at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, but the club could not sign any new players without the English coach’s seal of approval.
This is the reason why United failed to meet last Friday’s deadline for the submission of the provisional squad and are now expected to do so tomorrow or Tuesday morning. Among those who have been attending Caps United’s training sessions and are praying for inclusion in the provisional squad are former striker Leornard Tsipa, former Dynamos stalwart Chamu Musanhu’s younger brother Walter, youthful centreback Charles Mutero and former Shabanie goalie Victor Twaliki.
The former Harare City trio of Arnold Chaka, Witness Nyamutsaka and Tongai Chiworeso are also eyeing a place in the provisional squad.
Exciting former Monomotapa forward Carlos Mesi, who had a stint at relegated Shabanie Mine last year and former Chiredzi FC player Scholar Hadebe have also caught the eyes.
