Chaminuka feels the heat

Sport
ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka says his team is feeling the added pressure as they enter the final stretch of the season well poised to take the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) title to Kariba in their debut season.

ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka says his team is feeling the added pressure as they enter the final stretch of the season well poised to take the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) title to Kariba in their debut season.

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HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER

The league leaders face Caps United on “home turf” at Gwanzura Stadium this Sunday.

Chaminuka’s side are two points clear at the top of the table and with a goal difference four better than second-placed and champions Dynamos, it would take a defeat to Caps United and a win for the Glamour Boys against How Mine on the same day for ZPC Kariba to lose out on being crowned PSL champions in their first year with the big boys.

Kauya Katuruturu put one hand on the trophy a fortnight ago when they came from behind to beat Dynamos 2-1. In arguably one of the most fascinating title races in the league history, ZPC Kariba timed their victory over their title challengers just right.

Their win over Dynamos means they have not lost a match in Harare this season, making the Caps United match appear something of a formality, but memories of a dramatic final day last season loom large and mean that nothing will be taken for granted.

Last year, Harare City — also in their debut season in the top-flight league — needed a win against a struggling Caps United to be crowned champions, but were held to a 2-2 draw, allowing Dynamos to win the title on goal difference after beating Black Mambas 2-0.

“At this stage we are favourites and a lot of people are already congratulating us for winning the title, but I think that can work against us,” Chaminuka said yesterday.

“That can make the team very complacent, so we will need to be disciplined and try to guard against complacency on the day if we are to win the league. Our target is to win the match because a draw will not give us anything.

“We will not risk by playing for a draw because anything can happen in the Dynamos-How Mine match. We just have to get an outright win to be safe.”

The soft-spoken former Caps United assistant coach arrived in the country on Tuesday night from national duty in Morocco with the Young Warriors where he is an assistant to Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa.

Callisto-Pasuwa
Callisto-Pasuwa

Chaminuka added: “We are on top of the log and we are under some pressure on both match playing situations, with and without the ball.

“We are playing a very good side so we will need to use time and space very carefully.”

Chaminuka was Caps United assistant coach last season before joining his current team at the start of the current campaign.

He reckons his experience with the Green Machine would come handy on Sunday, but could be on both sides.

“My knowledge of Caps United can help us in a way because I know almost every player’s capabilities, but the Caps players know my style of play, how I like to play, so it’s also an advantage to them,” he said.

“Most people think beating Caps is a done deal, but I know we have a big match on our hands, playing a team who have nothing to lose.

“They are not under any pressure because they are not playing for anything other than pride. They will come and enjoy themselves and try to spoil our fun. Harare City had the same predicament and history always repeats itself. That is what I am afraid of.”

Caps United will be under the charge of assistant coach Mike Madzivanyika for this match as coach Taurai Mangwiro is away in Cameroon where he is attending a Fifa course.

Mangwiro left together with Zifa technical director Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe for Douala, Cameroon, on Tuesday, for a Fifa elite instructors’ course that started yesterday and will run until November 25.

Caps United, who are currently on third position, have already qualified for the Mbada Diamonds Cup by finishing in the top-four and the result of Sunday’s match will not alter their status.

If they move, it will be from third to fourth place in the event fourth-placed FC Platinum beat already-relegated Chiredzi at Mandava Stadium on the same day.

ZPC Kariba are strong favourites to win and might just need a draw to secure the PSL title.

However, in a league that has produced final day drama before, victory and the title is by no means assured and Dynamos will keep their fingers crossed that, like last season, bitter rivals Caps United will do them a favour.