CAPS brace for more time on the road
GIANTS CAPS United are already feeling the pinch of having to travel almost 300km to play their home games as they set out for Gweru to host Chicken Inn today in the opening fixture of the 2024 Castle Lager Premiership campaign.
Makepekepe, who had hoped to rake in some form of revenue had their wish for the homologation of Rufaro been successful this week, say they were instead left to dig deeper into their pockets to finance their trip and pay for the match expenses.
The team even trained at Rufaro in anticipation of the widely anticipated reopening of the ground, but they were left with no other option after the contractors failed to meet the timelines.
The National Sports Stadium, which hosted the bulk of their games in the second half of season last year, is also not yet in the right shape for competitive football, ever since it closed its doors for renovations last year.
CAPS United used Bata for most of their games last season because of the stadium crisis in Harare. An official from the Green Machine yesterday said Makepekepe would need at least US$8 000 to US$10 000 to make the trip to Gweru today.
And, judging from the previous experiences, there is no way they are expecting any financial returns.
“It’s unfortunate it has come to this again this season. But if we had played at Rufaro at least we would have attracted a sizeable number of paying spectators and this would have gone a long way in defraying the match expenses.
“Instead of expecting a profit, however small it was going to be, we are now going to dig into our pockets and this does not make business sense at all.
“We need at least US$8 000 to US$10 000 to host a match in Gweru. This figure includes the transport costs, travelling allowances for the players, accommodation, traveling incentives, stadium hire, referees and other service providers like ambulance hire, security and all. If the team wins, then we will also need to factor in bonuses. So, in the long term this may not be sustainable,” said the official.
On the football side, Bata has also proved to be a poor hunting ground for the Green Machine who nearly got relegated last season after experiencing poor fortunes in Gweru.
It was not until the timely reopening of the National Sports Stadium that Makepekepe sealed their survival after going nine games unbeaten in the back end of the campaign.
Despite the venue setback, Green Machine coach Lloyd Chitembwe is looking forward to a bright start to the campaign. “We have had a very long period of preparations, and I am happy that finally we are there because at the end of the day players and coaches enjoy playing games more. I think it’s a period that we have been waiting for for a long time,” he said.
They recently unveiled their squad anchored by tried and tested players such as two-time Soccer Star Rodwell Chinyengetere, William Manondo, Devon Chafa, Phenias Bamusi, Hastings Chapusha, goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga, Ian Nyoni and Blessing Sarupinda.
Their new signings included veterans Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Lot Chiwunga, Jayden Bakari, Wayne Makuva and Ralph Kawondera. CAPS United finished in eighth position last season, 20 points behind champions Ngezi Platinum Stars. “We are yet to see more about this team.
I think a real competitive game brings a lot more things to our observation and I am looking forward to the game and see how much the boys can give us.
“But I strongly believe they have the necessary qualities that we want in them, and I strongly believe if they are in the right state of mind, they can give the team much more than the people can think of,” said Chitembwe.
He was also wary of the Gamecocks who are now under the tutelage of Joey Antipas, who led them to their only league title in 2015.
“Chicken Inn have been in the league for some time and at some point, we knew we were going to play them.
“And just like any other team, they are so good, and I also believe they have their own strong points, and they equally have their weaknesses just like any other football team in the world.
“So, we will try and go out there and be as competitive as we possibly can,” said Chitembwe.
Fixtures:
Today: CAPS United v Chicken Inn (Bata), Arenel v Ngezi Platinum (Luveve), FC Platinum v Chegutu Pirates (Mandava), ZPC Kariba v TelOne (Nyamhunga), Green Fuel v Bulawayo Chiefs (Green Fuel Arena)
Tomorrow: Manica Diamonds v Simba Bhora (Sakubva), Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Hwange v Yadah (Colliery)
*Herentals v Eastern Region (Postponed)