Let the games begin
Tenax not in panic mode CAPS Utd comes to Mutare
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League matches are resuming this weekend after a lengthy break with Mutare-based Tenax FC travelling to Bulawayo for a date against Chicken Inn on Saturday (tomorrow), while Harare army outfit, Black Rhinos host CAPS United at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
Just like Chicken Inn, Tenax FC are yet to collect maximum points after two rounds of league matches.
The correctional services side, however, is not pressing the panic button.
Tenax FC will resume their league matches after losing talented top man, Farai Mugumwa to cross-town rivals, Manica Diamonds.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services team have since roped in Pascal Shumbaimwe and David Chirandu from Manica Diamonds.
Coach, Shadreck ‘Father’ Mugurasave said there is no need to panic, given that the season has just begun and they will be collecting maximum points in some matches to come.
“We played two matches only out of the 38 matches we are supposed to play the whole season. Therefore, there is no need to panic. It is too early to panic. We will win some matches and get maximum points,” said the soft spoken Tenax FC coach.
The former Buffaloes gaffer expressed confidence that the club will soon get a replacement for bustling striker, Mugumwa.
“We lost one of the best strikers in the country, Farai Mugumwa when he moved to Manica Diamonds.
However, I think we will be able to get a replacement for him.
“He is one person we did not want to lose, but it is good for his career. We wish him well. All we need is to look around and see how best we can get a good replacement
for him,” said Mugurasave.
He said his team will forge ahead with its aim to evade relegation at the end of the season.
“It is good that we are back to where we belong. Our preparations ahead of the resumption of the season league matches went on very well. Our aim as a new team is to collect points and avoid relegation,” he said.
Meanwhile, army outfit, Black Rhinos will be hosting CAPS United at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
Life has not been rosy for CAPS United of late.
The Green Machine was the last club to restart training with the rest of the topflight teams having hit the ground running soon after the Warriors exited the AFCON tournament.
Media reports indicated that Caps United only got down to business last week with players reportedly refusing to go to work over outstanding salaries and allowances.
This followed reports suggesting that the players were owed three months salaries.
However, the club management appeared to have doused the flames last week with part payments, while balances were said to be on their way.
This gave hope that the club, which has been struggling to meet its financial obligations, was getting back on its feet.
It, however, emerged this week that the players rejected the part payments.
The players are also said to be unhappy that some of the promises made by the club leadership have not been fulfilled.
Caps United failed to fulfil fixtures before the AFCON break as players went on strike over outstanding payments.
They have since lost a number of players who include key defenders, Carlos Mavhurume and Brendon Mpofu to Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos, respectively.
The club has, however, signed Devon Chafa and Dennis Dauda.
Black Rhinos coach, Hebert Maruwa refused to read too much into their opponents’ off the field challenges.
“Yes, we have also read that in the media, but that really has nothing to do with us. We will not be misled into thinking that the match against CAPS United will be a walkover simply because of what is being reported in the media. We respect them and we will need to be at our all time best to beat them,” said Maruwa.
Elsewhere in the Castle Lager Premiership, log leaders, Manica Diamonds will be inactive this weekend as teams that played two matches before the season went on a break are the ones fulfilling their outstanding encounters.