Jere thanks CAPS fans City vow to destroy Green Machine

CAPS UNITED president Farai Jere has thanked the Green Machine fans for showing respect to the players and their coaching staff at the end of the Harare Derby on Sunday despite the pain inflicted by the loss to their biggest rivals.

The Harare businessman watched as the champions crumbled under the weight of a double strike by Dynamos hitman Christian Ntouba to ignite wild celebrations among the DeMbare fans who came in numbers at the national Sports Stadium.

CAPS United had turned the giant stadium into their fortress, where they did not lose a league match last season, but they have already lost to How Mine and DeMbare at the place they call home this term.

Last year, the Green Machine beat DeMbare at Rufaro 1-0 courtesy of a goal by Dominic Chungwa, who was unavailable on Sunday through suspension, before staging a remarkable fightback to score three times in the last five minutes and force a draw at the National Sports Stadium.

Overcome with emotion, after that fightback, Jere stormed onto the pitch and joined his players and coaching staff in wild celebrations.

However, the Glamour Boys hit back at their rivals with victory on Sunday.

“It was a very painful defeat and, even up to now, we are still feeling the pain because Dynamos are our rivals and thousands of our fans came to cheer us, praying for a victory, but went home disappointed and it will take some time for that disappointment to ease,’’ Jere said.

“Even though we were a bit weakened, with the suspensions of Chungwa and Jangano (Justice), we always believed that we could give it our best shot and win the game, but sadly at the end of the day, that wasn’t the case and it hurts.

“For us, beating Dynamos is special and the same is also true to our rivals and after the fun we enjoyed last year with our success over there, it was a tough one to take, losing again, and it has been a tough few days.

“But fair play to Dynamos, they BULAWAYO City have vowed to inflict more pain on champions CAPS United when the two sides meet this afternoon in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Hartsfield.

City coach Mandla Mpofu says they want to improve their league position following another outstanding performance last weekend when they beat ZPC Kariba 3-2.

“We are playing the defending champions. They lost to Dynamos, but they are a good side. But we also want a win which will take us to number seven on the log.

“The boys are hungry for another victory soon after playing well against ZPC Kariba. I think it will be another exciting match, we want to win the game tomorrow (today),” he said.

The Bulawayo City Council side have been blowing hot and cold in the league.

“CAPS United have always been a dangerous team and are a good side. We are motivated after the weekend’s victory, it’s a plus for us, but we don’t need to be complacent,” he said.

Mpofu will be without forward Mkhululi Moyo, who

got the two goals and we didn’t convert our chances and that is the nature of the game in a tight match, it makes a huge difference, but we will dust ourselves up again and fight and the next Derby will not be an easy match for them, this I can guarantee you.

“However, what really cheered me was seeing our fans saluting our players and the coaching team after such a painful defeat, this meant a lot to me and I would like to thank them for that because it tells the players and the coaches that we are one family and the fans are fully behind us and that is what is needed if you want to be successful in football.

“I want to say a big thank you to scored the opener at Hartsfield during a penalties galore-filled tie which saw three spot kicks being given on the day.

Bulawayo City goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda scored the winning penalty after ZPC Kariba’s Godknows Mangani had again levelled terms from the spot.

Also missing is defender Nyasha Mukumbi.

Both players are nursing injuries.

However, City will not be short on arsenal with youthful forward Clive Rupiya expected to feature prominently.

Rupiya, who scored a double against Dynamos in a high-scoring encounter in the first half of the season, has been getting better with each passing match.

Mpofu believes the young player has excelled and is clearly the outstanding player in the league among those registered as developmental players.

“Clive had a blinder of a game on Saturday. We expect him to do well again against CAPS United. I will give him confidence to play his normal game against the champions.

“So far, I believe he has been the teenager to have given his best in the league compared to other young players.

“He scored two goals against

every CAPS United fan who, even in that pain, found a way to thank the boys and the coaches for giving it their all and understanding that this Derby came at a wrong time for us with all the suspensions to some key players who could have made a big difference.’’

Jere also said the challenges that were faced by fans at entry points, with thousands of supporters being forced back home when they couldn’t force their way into the stadium, were unfortunate.

“We apologise as a club for all that because football cannot survive without fans and we owe it to the supporters to deliver a product that remains attractive and it’s sad when you hear stories that a lot of Dynamos and that is rare especially coming from a young player. The future is really bright for this young man,” said Mpofu.

CAPS United have gone two matches without getting a goal.

Assistant coach Fungai Tostao Kwashi remained upbeat ahead of their Bulawayo battle.

Lloyd Chitembwe’s charges will return to Bulawayo again when they meet Bantu Rovers at the same venue at the weekend.

The Green Machine welcome back chief striker Dominic Chungwa who missed the Harare Derby through suspension.

The forward has scored nine goals and Makepekepe desperately need his goals as they continue to play the catch up.

Fixtures Tomorrow: Hwange v Bantu Rovers (Colliery)

Friday: Ngezi Platinum v Harare City (Baobab).

Saturday: FC Platinum v How Mine (Mandava), Black Rhinos v Bulawayo City (Rufaro, 3pm, SS), Chicken Inn v Yadah (Hartsfield), Chapungu v Shabanie (Ascot), Tsholotsho v ZPC Kariba (Dulivadzimo).

Sunday: Bantu Rovers v CAPS United (Hartsfield), Triangle v Hwange (Gibbo), Dynamos v Highlanders (Rufaro, 3pm, SS)

them had serious challenges at the entry points,’’ said Jere.

“Obviously, it’s an issue we are looking into as a club because I thought we had made all the necessary arrangements to ensure that everything would sail smoothly, but that wasn’t the case and we have to say sorry to all the people who suffered at the gates.

“It should never happen and it’s something we shouldn’t tolerate and there are some tough lessons that we will pick going forward and I have to thank everyone who came to the stadium to support football, not only CAPS United or Dynamos, but even the neutrals who were there just to enjoy the game.’’