WISDOM Mutasa has paid tribute to his hard-to-please coach Lloyd Mutasa for his rediscovery of form having gone through a purple patch for Caps United.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Mutasa joined Caps United from Dynamos at the start of the campaign but endured a frustrating period as he struggled to break into the team.
He has, however, been patient, committing himself to training and was finally rewarded with a place in the team during the second-half of the season.
Since then he has flourished and has become one of Chitembwe’s most trusted forwards, whose contribution with goals and assists, have helped Caps United post some good results.
On Sunday, Chitembwe entrusted him to take the last penalty kick in a nervy penalty shoot out against ZPC Kariba in the Chibuku Super Cup.
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To his credit, Mutasa absorbed all the pressure that comes with such a responsibility showing panache and conviction as he stepped up to take the decisive penalty.
He sent ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya the wrong way to put Caps United through to the second round of the premier knockout tournament after a 5-4 victory.
“I am very happy for the team. There was so much pressure to be the last penalty taker, but I converted that one and we managed to pull through. I am particularly happy that my confidence level is getting higher and I hope to continue to do well and scoring for the team. It has not been easy, I have worked with several coaches, but Chitembwe is a difficult coach to please. He demands total commitment at training. You have to go the extra mile. If you play 60% to 70% of your potential, it’s not enough for him, maybe 90%-95%. I am sure I am around that and I think it’s the reason he has given me the opportunity. I will try to continue to work hard for the team. Hopefully we will do well in this tournament,” said Mutasa.
Caps United, who played in the prestigious African Champions League last season where they defied odds to reach the lucrative group stage of the tournament after seeing off the challenge of seasoned campaigners TP Mazambe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, are determined to have another dance in the tournament.
The Harare giants are aware that in fifth place with 43 points from 26 matches, 19 behind log leaders FC Platinum, the championship race is now out of reach and see the Chibuku Super Cup as the only option for them to get back to Africa in the Caf Confederation Cup tournament.