Muchenje predicts good season
HARARE CITY midfielder Moses Muchenje is convinced his club can compete for honours this season after he helped them pick up a crucial point in their opening Castle Lager Premiership soccer match against his former club CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. The contest ended in a goalless draw. The Sunshine City Boys had the odds firmly stacked against them as Makepekepe were highly tipped to bag the maximum points but, the Mark Harrison-mentored side matched their opponents and had they been clinical in front of goal, could have actually emerged winners in this tie.
And Muchenje, who revealed he could not have celebrated had he scored on his Harare City debut against his ex-pay-
him to be at. I am sure he did his best, he tried to give us the tight kind of balance on the left side. But generally I am happy with the contribution of each and every member of the team,” said Chitembwe.
Harare City also had a fair share of scoring chances with probably the best coming in the 36th minute but striker William Manondo failed to execute after former Makepekepe skipper Moses Muchenje had threaded a good pass through the masters, reckons the Harare City Council-owned club is good enough to fight for the honours and indeed fans should brace for surprises this season.
He said the fact that Harare City were bound to play in Division One this season after they got relegated last year before they were given a second bite at the cherry after How Mine surrendered their Premiership franchise, gives his team an edge over others as they will not be playing under pressure.
“Harare City is quite a good club with some good players. We have one of the best coaches in the world in Mark Harrison and we can match any team in the top-flight in terms of one-on-one basis.
“No one gave us a chance coming into the match against CAPS United but here we are.
“We managed to match them manto-man and we have kick-started our season on a high. Playing against CAPS
middle. New player Kuda Musharu and substitute Martin Vengesayi also came close in the second half.
The Sunshine Boys coach Harrison was happy with the draw.
“This draw is a massive confidence booster to the players. Look, we didn’t play football today, as in the way we would have wanted to play. We can play much much better football than we did today.
“But you have to give credit to United is always tough.
“They are one of the favourites to win the league title but the way we managed to absorb pressure from them is quite encouraging. It gives us belief going forward.
“In fact, we could have won the match if we had taken our chances. Teams can only underrate us at their own peril.
“Would I have celebrated if I had found the target? No. I actually wanted to score and dedicate the goal to my long time teammate Hardlife Zvirekwi who got injured in a car accident last week. “I played along Zvirekwi right from high school as well as at Gunners and CAPS United. I had planned to score and dedicate the goal to Hardy. Unfortunately, I didn’t but all the same, I would like him to know that I am with him till he fully recovers and find his groove again,” Muchenje said.
The former CAPS United captain said
CAPS United. They are an experienced team, they starved us of the ball for long periods. It’s a battle in there but what I was pleased with was we stuck at our job, we kept our shape well and competed with them in all parts of the field,” said Harrison. “We played against probably one of the best teams in the country. They have got a massive amount of experience, they played Champions League football and they were always going to be difficult Harare City are drawing a lot of inspiration from his former club who defied the odds to reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League last season where the Green Machine floored such continental powerhouses as USM Alger and Zamalek.
“I was part of that trailblazing CAPS United side which no one gave a chance in the CAF Champions League but ended up reaching the group stages last season, a feat made even sweeter after we dumped heavyweights TP Mazembe in the first round.
“Similarly, I am now part of the team which is tipped to be fighting in the tailend of the table but we will stand to be counted come the end of the season.
“Of course, we were preparing to play in Division One but here we are. We had targeted to win the ticket to rejoin the elite league and nothing much has changed.
opponents.
TEAMS
CAPS United: P. Chigumba, K. Nyamupfukudza, J. Jangano, V. Musarurwa, S. Makatuka, C. Kamhapa, W. Mutasa (T. Fugo, 38 minutes, M. Ncube 67th minute), S. Nhivi, J. Ngodzo, J. Zhuwawu, B. Muzondiwa.
Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, R. Uchena, T. Chimwemwe, B. Chayambuka, M. Nyenye, L. Muyambo, M. Muchenje, W. Manondo, K. Musharu (T. Balakasi 85th minute), T. Tumba (P. Mpelele 71st minute), D. Chimwemwe (M. Vingisayi 56th minute).