Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. CAPS United players and the technical team have faced a turbulent week, enduring a welter of criticism if not scorn over their poor form that culminated in a defeat to Bikita Minerals on Easter Monday.
Fans thought they had seen the worst of disappointment, but the Green Machine sunk lower with that defeat at home.
Lloyd Chitembwe’s side were already in a crisis, having lost three of their first six matches, but that loss to Bikita has triggered chaos.
The record is now four defeats from seven matches, where they have scored just four goals while shipping in eight.
The club hierarchy has punched panic buttons and there have already been casualties, with the team manager leaving the club with the other technical team members set to follow him to the exit door.
As they walk out for Matchday 8 against Yadah today, they carry a heavy load of pressure to try and stem the rot.
There are other attractive league matches today, but the spotlight falls firmly on the Green Machine, whose cogs are seemingly failing to move the team forward.
It should be tough for them to face their demanding fans but they are defiant and promise to carry the positive vibe into the contest.
Assistant coach Tonderai Marume is expecting a big fight from his team.
“As usual when we conduct our training sessions, we try and make sure that the players are training at the highest level,” he said.
“This week, we have trained for three days and we will train on Friday. The performance levels at training have been quite high.
“The training is a mirror of how we want to play the match. So the players have been doing well, even the attitude and mentality are okay. I think we are ready for the
match.”
Marume said the players know they are better than the results have so far suggested.
“The players are very positive. The players spoke among themselves to say that they should have the same positive vibe they had ahead of the Bikita match, even though we went on to lose,” he said.
“They know with that kind of attitude, they can win the game against Yadah. We need to rectify the situation and we have to play well and perform.”
Caps United will be without the star that steers the team, Tanaka Shandirwa, who is out suspended.
This will come as a blessing for Yadah, but the Green Machine believe they have enough in reserve.
While they will be under pressure, they hope they can spark the raw passion of their fans to carry them through.
Defender Rouen Tjihumba said that they have a positive mindset despite a slow start.
He revealed that they have worked hard on chances conversion and hopefully things can change for the better.
Juan Mutudza is their most prolific striker so far after his brace against Triangle helped the team collect their only set of three points so far.
Much will be expected of him, as is the case with skipper Phineas Bamusi.
Yadah have not fared much better than Caps as they are only a point better than Makepekepe.
But their confidence has not received a knock as in the case of Caps United.
They will sense an opportunity to record only their second win of the campaign so far and among others they hope King Nadolo and Innocent Mucheneka, both borrowed from Scottland, can inspire a
win.
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