HARARE football giants Caps United will be gunning for their first win over FC Platinum in six years when the two teams clash in the top of the table fixture at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
FC Platinum have dominated the two clubs’ encounters ever since they lost 2–1 to the Green Machine in Harare ironically the same year the platinum miners won their first league title.
Since then the Zvishavane-based side has won two matches, while the other five matches ended in draws and FC Platinum has claimed four consecutive league titles.
Caps are looking to end that bad run having been the last team to take the title before FC Platinum monopolised the podium.
Makepekepe are currently enjoying a dream start to the league season after a forgettable run last year as they top the standings with 10 points from four matches.
A defeat on Sunday will see them surrender their position to their conquerors.
Coach Lloyd Chitembwe feels Caps United has a chance to beat the defending champions if they manage to turn up on the day.
“As far as we know, all the games we have played were important matches since there were points at stake and I am extremely happy with the way that we have managed the games that we have played. But all the same this time around it’s slightly different in the sense that we are playing a well-structured team, a team with a lot of different qualities and at the same time a team that has a clearly defined way of playing,” Chitembwe told reporters yesterday.
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“But in the same breath, I think we are equally in the same situation they are in. And on a good day I think if we are able to express ourselves well and we don’t succumb to expectation, I am sure we stand a very good chance against FC Platinum because we equally have our own unique qualities. We have a strong belief in the team that we have and it only looks like a very interesting match,” he added.
So far Caps United have beaten Manica Diamonds, ZPC Kariba and Black Rhinos, while they played a goalless draw away at Ngezi Platinum to perch at the top of the log standings.
Norman Mapeza’s men have, meanwhile, lost a match in the league after suffering a 2–1 loss to Highlanders on Match Day Three.
After bringing a number of top players during the off-season window, Caps appear to be one of the strongest sides in the topflight league.
Caps United brought in Godknows Murwira, Kelvin Madzongwe, Hastings Chapusha, Adrian Silla and Tafadzwa Rusike, among others and are understood to be on the verge of registering Learnmore Muyambo.
Club president Farai Jere also graced the team’s training and had a pep talk to the team ahead of the big clash.
Chitembwe hailed the gesture.
“At the end of the day, it’s down to doing the small things and him coming to training is a very important step. I am sure it gives the players a breath of fresh air just to see the club president.
“For him to come here and share the way he feels about the game and the contribution of each and every single member of the team I think it only gives confidence not only to the players but everyone associated with the club. It’s a good piece of leadership,” Chitembwe said.
