HomeOld_PostsCAPS United to brew shocker?

CAPS United to brew shocker?

Published on

WITH five African titles to their name and backed by millions of dollars, TP Mazembe are one of the biggest club teams on the African continent.
Tout Puissant (TP), a French phrase which means ‘Too Powerful’, is owned by the wealthy Moise Katumbi, a Congolese businessman and a former governor.
TP Mazembe and CAPS United, are two teams whose contrast is that of black and white.
TP Mazembe, a fabulously-rich perennial Congolese champion possess assets that their opponent, at the moment, can only dream of.
The Congolese giant’s asset-sheet has two private jets, a German-made Dornier 128 utility aircraft and a 40-seater McDonnell Douglas MD-80, used for local and international trips as well as several luxury buses.
They have their own stadium, a state-of-the-art facility with a sitting capacity of 20 000, built at a cost of US$35 million to add to a world class football academy housing over 2 000 potential football stars.
Katumbi has invested heavily into the team with a host of Congolese talent beefed up by players brought from across Africa and Europe.
Belgian international and former Fiorentina and Genoa defender Anthony Vanden Borre (29) was recently signed by the club from Anderletch.
New coach, Thierry Forger was also snapped from France.
The CAPS United president and owner, Farai Jere, is a wealthy businessman, by Zimbabwean standards.
The team’s tangible assets include a 30-seater Toyota Coaster minibus, donated by Nyaradzo Funeral Services.
Training facilities are hired, while the Government-owned National Sports Stadium is their home ground.
Sometimes players have to resort to protests to get their salaries.
The team has not been spared from the effects of illegal sanctions imposed by the West that have affected every sector of the economy.
Generally, sport has not found sponsorship as players in industry struggle to stay afloat.
CAPS United and TP Mazembe are a case of the Biblical David and Goliath, with the Zimbabwean side being the little fellow in the fight.
But coach Lloyd Chitembwe and his troops were not intimidated by TP Mazembe’s status and forced a one-all draw in the highly fancied team’s stadium.
The CAF Champions League first round, first leg tie in Lubumbashi last Sunday at the Estade TP Mazembe, was highly-charged with the referee from Burundi, Pacifique Ndabihawenimana, adding an astonishing eight minutes of extra time at the end of the second-half.
And this Sunday, they clash in the return leg at the National Sports Stadium.
The Green Machine (CAPS United) believe they are richer than their opponents on the field of play and will send Mazembe, with their wealth, packing.
CAPS United drew goalless with Lesotho champions Lioli FC before dispatching them at the National Sports Stadium after coming from a goal down courtesy, of second-half goals from forward Simba Nhivi and midfielder Ronald Chitiyo.
Giants in African football have had the benefit of ‘having’ referees on their side, especially when they play at home.
For example South African side Orlando Pirates endured a torrid time at the Stade TP Mazembe where they were subjected to all kinds of dubious officiating before losing 1-0 in 2013.
The late Senzo Meyiwa went on to save two controversial penalties awarded to the Congolese team in the second-half.
However, Pirates progressed to the group stages of the competition after winning 3-2 on aggregate; this should inspire Makepekepe.
Mazembe can be stopped on the field of play despite their vast resources, influence and experience.
Last week the Congolese team’s players tried to bully the referee and looked for the slightest opportunities like diving inside the box as well as elbowing CAPS goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda.
The Zimbabwean champions, however, showed they are made of sterner stuff.
CAPS United held on to a one-all draw against TP Mazembe, which puts them in a good position to qualify.
Makepekepe have a strong squad, having retained most of the players who did duty last season and were crowned the 2016 champions.
Only the vice-captain Stephen Makatuka left for South Africa, but more players were signed to add value to the team.
The never-say-die spirit within the organisation has seen the Green Machine gelling and becoming a formidable force.
According to pundits, CAPS need to do what it has always done at home; fight and not give opponents breathing space.
“We know who TP Mazembe are and their status in African football; we know all about them,” CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said after their scoring draw in DRC.
“What should worry us more is what we are capable of doing.
“For us, the spirit within the group is good and the players are united.
“Now we have given ourselves a chance to achieve something big.
“It’s not yet over but we now know what is expected of us when we play at home.”
TP Mazembe gaffer Forger on the other hand said: “The fans are calling for my head but they are being unfair.
A coach can only do so much and leave the rest to the players. However, it’s not yet over. We will go to Harare and give it our all.”
The TP Mazembe coach makes the trip to Harare under a lot of pressure, amid questions about his ability to steer this expensively assembled ship.
However, the die-hard fans of the Green Machine expect their team to brew a shocker.
Certainly CAPS United cannot be ruled out.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest articles

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

The contentious issue of race

 By Nthungo YaAfrika AS much as Africans would want to have closure to many of...

More like this

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

Discover more from Celebrating Being Zimbabwean

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading