Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League has been made interesting by the struggles of Harare giants, Caps United and Dynamos.
While little was expected of Dynamos this season after losing a lot of senior players in the off-season, arch-rivals Caps United were touted as genuine title contenders, judging by their transfer business before the start of the league campaign.
They made some shrewd business decisions bringing in seasoned signings such as Tanaka Shandirwa, Love Raema Bissila Mabiala, Nyasha Chintuli, Stephen Odai Kwaku, Kundai Benyu, Brighton Manhire and Juan Mutudza, among others.
And with sound financial backing from owner Farai Jere, this time around, there is no reason why the Green Machine should not be setting the pace in the league race.
But after 10 matches, they occupy the last relegation place, 15th position, with eight points thus far and below Dynamos.
It had become apparent to all except president Farai Jere that coach Lloyd Chitembwe had become part of the bigger problem for the club, which he guided to the championship in 2016 and even reached the mini league phase in the Caf Champions League.
Amid pressure to fire Chitembwe, who spectacularly failed to manage his dressing room, Jere embarrassingly opted to sacrifice the long-serving team manager, Shakespeare Chinogwenya, a fortnight ago.
Still, results have been hard to come by.
And on Monday, Jere called a Press conference where he announced the elevation of Chitembwe to the position of technical director ahead of the announcement of a new head coach and technical team.
We feel Caps United needs a new direction away from Chitembwe and the new role will result in him interfering with the technical department.
Part of the problem at Caps United is Jere’s idolisation of Chitembwe for whatever reason, yet in football, there must be no shame in letting go of a coach who has failed to deliver.
It is actually good for the club and Chitembwe as a coach to reset and kick-start his coaching career once again.
While the entire Caps United faithful have been demanding the ouster of Chitembwe to give the club a new lease of life, Jere has always come to Chitembwe’s defence.
Last year, Jere was quoted as saying Chitembwe will never leave Caps United as long as he is the club president.
“Chitembwe is very loyal to this brand because he responded to my call when I asked him to leave City for this club without fearing for our financial challenges.
“We have not been financially okay, but it’s no longer the case. I will be the last to forget Chitembwe’s contributions to this club, he has sacrificed a lot for this team.
“As long as I’m available, Chitembwe will never leave this club. I have been in this office since 2004 and I know what is needed here,” Jere said.
Perhaps he has become a prisoner of his utterances.
But the fact remains, Caps United under Chitembwe have flirted with relegation for the past three seasons and find themselves mired in murky waters yet again.
Chitembwe has arrogantly refused to evolve as a coach, always choosing to go against the tide or take advice from anybody while he employs a heavy-handed approach to his players.
The prudent thing to do to bring a whole new perspective to the club across the board is to get rid of Chitembwe, lest relegation becomes a reality for the fading Harare giants.
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