Mhlauri salutes CAPS United Makepekepe gross $73 000
FORMER CAPS United coach Charles Mhlauri has described Makepekepe’s historic Champions League success story as a landmark milestone in the club’s quest for greatness.
The gaffer, who guided Makepekepe to back-to-back league titles in 2004 and 2005, also conceded that this was the Green Machine’s finest hour.
“Allow me to congratulate CAPS United for their finest moment,’’ Mhlauri told The Herald from his base in the United States.
“OMG! (Oh My God). This is fantastic, let’s celebrate. The team’s commitment has paid off. This will surely count as the most amazing achievement to happen this year and years to come.
“Lloyd Chitembwe and his team have secured a great achievement for the club and the country. This is a great team and you don’t need to decorate them, their results speak volumes.
“Well done boys! This is a milestone. To qualify in the last 16 is no mean achievement.
“Congratulations to Farai Jere and his executive, this is a magnificent moment. I wish them all the best going forward.
“Congratulations for the achievements.”
ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa, who was given a standing ovation by the fans at the giant stadium when he appeared on the pitch for the pre-match handshakes, also saluted the Green Machine.
“I want to congratulate the whole CAPS United structure for masterminding what will go down as probably one of the biggest upsets in this competition, defeating a club with a history of success,” said the COSAFA boss.
“CAPS United’s success couldn’t have come at a better moment, the moment when Southern Africa is strengthening its hold on African football as witnessed by our own Ahmad’s ascendancy to CAF presidency.
“I can only encourage the team to aspire to achieve more, now that they know that anything is possible; why not go for the trophy itself.’’
Former club president Twine Phiri believes the Green Machine can even emulate Mamelodi Sundowns and win the Champions CAPS UNITED got one of their biggest crowds in recent years and grossed $73 483 on Sunday when they hosted Congolese giants TP Mazembe in a CAF Champions League tie at the National Sports Stadium.
The Green Machine, though, took $21 286 after deductions.
A total of 13 528 fans paid their way into the stadium.
There was the usual debiting of 15 percent which goes towards the stadium levy, six percent to the Sports Commission as a levy.
League this year.
“I am more than happy with the way these guys played and progressed. I can see us getting to the final,” said the Harare businessman who was part of the crowd at the giant stadium.
“We have played one of the best teams in Africa, TP Mazembe, and won.
Caf and Zifa levies and the costs of the police and security also drained the coffers.
The weekend’s game saw 3 500 more people paying to watch CAPS United than the 10 000 who watched the Harare Derby last October.
Last year, in the first edition of the Harare Derby in May at Rufaro, DeMbare grossed $78 000 after 14 000 fans paid to watch the game.
CAPS are set to get a minimum of $550 000 for reaching the Caf Champions League group stages.
“I think we can even go all the way to the final and win the Champions League title.’’
CAPS United legend Carlos Max praised Chitembwe’s men.
“I think TP Mazembe are overrated and we showed them that there was nothing special about them,’’ said Max.
“This is good for Zimbabwean
Club chief executive Cuthbert Chitima said despite hiking the cheapest ticket to $5, they still enjoyed some commendable support.
“We are more than happy. We are happy for our fans, for the support and we really appreciate. Our supporters are beginning to come to the stadium and this has got to do with results we are getting.
“As long as we continue to play well, I am sure that the fans will keep coming in their numbers,” he said.
Chitima added that the club
football, going forward in this tournament.
“The coach (Lloyd Chitembwe) has a good squad which is committed. They have been a family unit for some time now and it is all up to the coaching department to concentrate on their games home and away in the group stages.’’
PSL leader and Dynamos presi- is set to reward the players for reaching this milestone.
“The incentives are always there when something like this happens. It is a matter of percentages, but they will definitely get something,” said Chitima.
“We still have five slots that we are yet to utilise. Normally, it is common that at this stage you may lose players who would have excelled to other clubs, so we need to be cognisant of that,” he said.
Leonard Tsipa, the CAPS United’s leading goalscorer last year, is set to return to the squad.
dent Kenny Mubaiwa also congratulated their bitter rivals.
“I say congratulations to CAPS United. This victory is good for Zimbabwean football and we just hope CAPS United’s performance will bring us back the two slots in the Champions League,” said Mubaiwa.
Black Rhinos coach Stanford “Stix” M’tizwa, a CAPS United legend, also congratulated the Green Machine.
“I am happy that one of the two clubs that have been participating in CAF tournaments have progressed.
“We hope to see them doing well in the group matches,” said M’tizwa.
Former CAPS United board member Cosmas Nyachiya hailed his club for a job well done.
“I am happy for the whole team, the country, CAPS United supporters and Farai Jere as a person and as a businessman.
“Even Dynamos supporters managed to come and support us, so I am happy for the entire football community,” said Nyachiya.
Footballers Union of Zimbabwe president Desmond Maringwa said this was good for football in this country.
“We qualified for the Nations Cup and people took notice, now we are in the group stages of the Champions League, it shows that something is being done in terms of football. It also speaks of the quality of players we have. Thumbs up to the CAPS United family, players and coaches,” said Maringwa.