Caps United will be big test for Whawha: Luke Petros

Sport
WHAWHA FC coach Luke “Jukulile” Petros relishes the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) start at home to high-riding Caps United saying it will be a big test for the top league debutants.

WHAWHA FC coach Luke “Jukulile” Petros relishes the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) start at home to high-riding Caps United saying it will be a big test for the top league debutants.

FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER

Caps United appear to be on cloud nine this year, having obtained a major sponsorship deal with South African firm Zing and secured top coach Mark Harrison for the 2015 campaign.

The Green Machine have beaten Dynamos 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out to lift the Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Cup after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time at Rufaro Stadium and beating Highlanders 2-1 at Barbourfields to book another contest with DeMbare in the final of the Bob 91 Super Cup on Sunday.

Both matches were played inside 10 days in pre-season with former Bloemfontein Celtic player Rodreck Mutuma causing upsets.

But Petros said Whawha were well prepared for beginning the PSL journey after winning the Zifa Central Region Division One League last year.

The former Warriors, Shabanie Mine, Dynamos, Lancashire Steel and Kaizer Chiefs hitman said he was happy with his squad.

“The fixtures were released last week and I think they are okay. The first match (against Caps United) is not all that easy, but we will get a measure of who we are from there. They (Caps) have won the last two games, but they were just friendly matches. They are a good side, but we will treat them like any other team. We are very prepared for the league and we can play any team,” Petros said.

After Caps United, Whawha would be away to fellow newcomers and another Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side Flame Lily in Harare before another tough test at home against Harare City.

Some of the players at Whawha include former Shabanie Mine and How Mine striker Caleb Masocha, the nomadic Michael Mageja and goalkeeper Matthew Wurayayi.

Young Warriors’ Livingstone Genti, Albert Matewu, Paddington Magurutse, Ray Hussein, Kenneth Bhuka, Blessed Chikwekwete, Simbarashe Zimora and Stanley Chakwanha also play for Whawha.

The prisons’ side, who roped in Lloyd Mutasa as technical adviser, is the fifth Midlands team in recent years to play in the country’s elite football league after FC Platinum, Shabanie Mine, Chapungu United and Hardbody, the latter spending only one season in 2012.

Shabanie were relegated last year after regaining promotion in 2010 with Chapungu bouncing back last year. Lancashire Steel were also in the top league in 2008.

FC Platinum have held their fort since coming into the league in 2011, ending that season on position two tied on 58 points with Dynamos and representing the country in the Caf Champions League the following year.

This year, the platinum miners are the country’s sole representatives in the Africa Safari after clinching the Chibuku Super Cup and await a clash with Tanzania’s Young Africans in the next round of the Confederation Cup after dispatching Sofapaka of Kenya 4-2 on goal aggregate in the preliminary round.