CAPS Utd target Herentals scalp in redemption mission
AFTER getting their league campaign off to a false start last week, giants CAPS United are keen to get going when they face Herentals at Nyamhunga this afternoon.
The Green Machine threw so much conviction into their season opener against Chicken Inn at Bata last week but it was the latter who seized their marginal moments to eventually snatch a narrow 1-0 victory over Makepekepe.
And the Lloyd Chitembwe boys will be at Herentals’throats as they seek to redeem themselves and position themselves well in the early stages of the race.
Herentals were not in action last week as the champions from the chaotic Eastern Region Division One, who they were supposed to visit, had not yet been confirmed.
That means Paul Benza’s team will be up against a team which is already a 90 minutes competition fitter outfit this afternoon.
Ordinarily CAPS United would have been playing their second match in Harare for the second week running but they have had to travel more than 200km to play each of the games because there is no stadium fit to host Premiership matches in the capital.
It is something that should be worrying Chitembwe but the veteran coach is instead focusing on the job at hand.
“We are coming from a very disappointing result against Chicken Inn last week. The result wasn’t on our side but the performance was very good. But we would have wanted to start on a brighter note.
“Anyway, we are now focusing on our match against Herentals tomorrow (today),” said Chitembwe.
“The environment in the camp is very encouraging. The players are fully focused on the job at hand and we are really confident that they will be able to deliver against Herentals.
“Herentals is a good team and they have shown that over the years. They can make you suffer if you are not careful. So it is going to be a tough derby in Kariba.
“We have been working on those aspects of the game which we thought didn’t come right in our loss against Chicken Inn. I am satisfied with how my players have been responding to everything.
“I am impressed with their attitude and mentality going into the game against Herentals. We have tried to work on all the key elements of the game including tactical, physical, technical and mental to which I think we are up there as a team.
“You know these are the early stages of the marathon and we have suffered a stumble in the opening match, we can’t afford to hit another bump. We need to play well and see what happens.”
Chitembwe has depth at his disposal with experience and determination in his squad.
He opted to rest some of his new signings in the game against Chicken Inn last week like Bruno Kadamanja and Bruce Kangwa who he could throw into the fray this afternoon.
Herentals coach Benza has since declared that his Students will be out to make a statement of intent in their opening match against Makepekepe.