CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe has said his side is in better space to get a positive result when they visit Mandava Stadium for a date with FC Platinum today.
Last season, Caps United lost this fixture 2-1. Since 2012, the Green Machine only beat the Zvishavane-based side at Mandava once.
Caps United last beat FC Platinum in 2017 and since then the platinum miners have recorded three wins over the Harare giants with the victories coming at Mandava.
Over the years it has proved hard to separate the two sides coached by two strategists who know each other very well.
In the last 10 meetings, the two teams played six draws with FC Platinum winning on three occasions.
“Looking forward to the match, I think over the years FC Platinum have been winning most of our encounters but this time around I am looking forward to the match with a lot of optimism,” Chitembwe said. “I think this match has come at the right time considering what we went through in the last few matches. We want to give ourselves a very good chance we know what underlines greatness in football. In the category of results we are looking for consistency because in the category of performance we have been consistent.”
Caps have a spring in their step following their win over Arenel Movers on Sunday.
Chitembwe is not looking back but focusing on the future which he said is bright.
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“As a coach, I don’t look at the past because it is the future that I strongly believe we can control.
“There is no way I can control the past, its no longer important. It belongs to the achieves. I think a lot of things are in place, in the last seasons we were rocked by issues to do with players and with how the club was being run.
“Everyone had an opinion but this time around, the environment is quiet and conducive for people to focus on their main duties and responsibilities.
“I think this is the right space for all players to perform. It brings confidence to players, supporters and other stakeholders.”
Caps United have some of the league’s most senior citizens in their ranks, among them 37-year-old Lot Chiwunga, who grabbed a brace for the Green Machine in their win over Arenel Movers on Sunday.
Norman Mapeza singled out his former players Rodwell Chinyengetere and Ralph Kawondera as potential threats. He also mentioned Chiwunga, who is enjoying his new lease of life at the Green Machine.
FC Platinum are in better space having defeated Herentals at Rufaro Stadium on Monday and sit joint top with Highlanders having collected 10 points out of a possible 12.
“My fear was that we may have players carrying knocks because our last game against Herentals was physical. Lucky enough, everyone is okay. Caps are a good side, their last result against Arenel, they did well, it’s a team full of experience. They have so much experience in their squad. Nothing beats experience. All we need is to play our normal game. We are not changing anything. We respect them because given an opportunity, guys like Rodwell (Chinyengetere), Ralph (Kawondera) and Lot Chiwunga will punish you. They are dangerous guys. We must be organised in defence, in transition and all aspects of the game,” Mapeza said.
Caps United started off the campaign with a defeat to Chicken Inn before they atoned with a win over Herentals. They then lost to Bikita Minerals on their return to Harare before the Sunday success.
