By Tendai Chisiri
Caps United Football Club has vowed to fight hard for the championship title at the unveiling of the 2024 Castle Premier Soccer League (PSL) players and and kit ceremony in Harare Wednesday.
The five times PSL champions notes that it is now a longtime they have taken the championship and they believe this forthcoming season its their time. Checking on its records, they last clinched the championship title 2016 after having won the the 1996, 2004 and 2005 league titles. The eight year gap of title drought between 1996, 2004 makes them poised to have their title in the eighth year from 2016 to 2024. Before independence, they won in 1979.
In the late 80’s Caps United was on the limelight with the song “Makepekepe Shaisa Mufaro” penned for them due to their prowess in winning cup games. However the song seems an irony now as instead of the team making their opponents sad, their fans are now sad due to their play which is not bringing any silverware to the cabinet.
The late Zexie Manatsa sang the song “ Makepekepe Shaisa Mufaro”. This song captures the Caps United heydays when they were the Cup kings. With Dynamos dominating the league, Caps United decided to focus on the cup games. They would lose an easy match in the league but come the next weekend, they will be on fire if it was a cup game.
Apparently, the officials at Caps United agreed with the players that they would share the winnings of any cup competition. For this reason, the players were motivated as compared to the league games when they were given a fixed amount. The club became cup game specialists, the Zifa Cup, they made it their own literally, Rothmans,Chibuku, Rosebowl cups, they collected them all.
In a speech read on behalf of the club president Farai Jere by former Chief Executive Officer Maxwell Mironga, the club president said it was another historic moment in the history of Caps United as they unveiled new players and a new kit for the forthcoming season.
“At CAPS United we believe in hard work, all the hard work, all the sacrifices you have made, it all comes down to 90 minutes in the field of play. When you step on that field, you’re spending 90 minutes. Those 90 minutes will never come back. Those 90 minutes can determine your future, they can change your whole life if you use them correctly. During this limited time you must work harder than the rest. You must do your best, no matter what the score says. You must give your all, no matter what anyone says. Welcome to this great family called CAPS United”, Jere said welcoming the new players.
“Your efforts will be cherished”, he added.
CAPS United FC is a Zimbabwean football club based in Harare. Formed in 1973, the team rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was formerly nicknamed the Manchester Road Boys because of their former address. The team’s current nicknames are “Makepekepe” and “Green Machine”.
In 1972, Maurice Kraemer decided to start an official football outfit to entertain workers at Central African Pharmaceuticals, a business based at Manchester Road. Just one year later CAPS Rovers was registered as a team in the Northern Region.
The franchise was controlled by Mr Twine Ibrahim Phiri. In 2015 Farai Jere assumed majority shareholding of the club.
“Over the years, the Makepekepe brand has risen from level to level.Looking at football. Football is more than just a game. It makes individuals of various ages, various genders, socio economic backgrounds joyful.Football has the ability to unite communities and nations and teaches us the value of cooperation and sportsmanship.It is believed that soccer is the most supported sport in the world with over 3.5 billion fans followed by cricket with 2.5 billion.To the new players I say this club needs players who can do great things. It is not only about ‘we want to win’ but we want to win in a certain way, because we are the “Green Machine”, Jere said.
Advisor to team president, Abraham Kawadza in his remarks welcomed the new players and emulated the former players for their winning legacy.
“I acknowledge the 51 years of existence of Caps United FC and competing locally, South Africa, North Africa and in Democratic Republic of Congo where we came back with positive results”, he said.
” Caps United had great players such as Shacky Tauro, Joe Shambo, Stix Mtizwa, George Nechironga, Cephas Chomedza, Alois Binjira, Joe Mugabe, Lloyd Chitembwe, Brenna Msiska, George Mudiwa to mention but a few and great coaches with the likes of Ashton “Papa” Nyazika, Obediah Sarupinda, Charles Mhlauri, Nelson Matongore, Freddy Mkwesha, Sunday Marino, Moses Chunga, Fewdaus Musonda and many others”, Kawadza added.
He was among the first executive of supporters association, late 70s into early 80s with Wilfred Mukuna, Felix Tangawarima and Admire Taderera. Mukuna and Tangawarima went on to become best referees to come from Zimbabwe and Caps United is proud of them.
Some of the memorable games he still remembers is where they won 14 -0 against Venice mine in the Zifa knock out in the 90s and one against Dynamos where Era Muna scored a 40 meter drive.
Caps United legend Carlos Max in a sideline interview said if the team gets united with one aim there is nothing to stop them from doing exploits in the forthcoming season. “We used to have problems in our days as a team but when we work as a family, the problems get solved easier”, Max said. He warned the executive against promising the players winning bonuses they cannot afford.
Another legend Mike Temwanjira concurred with others that this season it was their time to lift the league. ” With what I saw today, the unveiling of the players and kit high morale. I think the boys are ready to achieve something great for their fans. I think this year is our year”, he said.
After unveiling the players the new ones ams old ones, Caps United also unveiled their kit. They will be using a stripped green and white jersey for their home matches. Alternative two way jerseys are in yellow and white stripes and the other with plain white.
Freeman HKD Boss” was among the guests with club legends like George Nechironga, George Mudiwa, Mike Temwanjira, Patrick Muswe and Carlos Max and many more in the technical department. Lloyd Chitembwe remains the head coach.
New players
Jayden Bakari (Dynamos FC), Junior Bunjira (Eagles FC), Munyaradzi Chirwa (Sheasham FC), Lot Chiwanga )Black Rhinos FC), Simba Ginda (Jadel Academy), Brian Kadamanja (Yadah FC) Bruce Kangwa (Azam FC), Ralph Kawondera (Manica Diamonds FC) Wayne Makuva ( Triangle FC, Kingsley Mureremba (Cranborne Bullet FC), Tapiwa Rusenza (Come Again FC).
Retained players
Tondersi Mateyaunga (C), Good knows Murwira (Vice captain), William Manondo (Vice captain), Phenias Bamusi, Devon Chafa, Hastings Chapusha, Roswell Chinyengetere, Josiah Dana, Eric Manokore, Leon Mukonyo, Ashley Rayners, Blessing Sarupinda, Innocent Zambezi.
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