The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United legend Blessing ‘Yogo Yogo’ Makunike died on March 13, 2004 and exactly in the same week 12 years later, the team stands on the threshold of executing historical decimation of five time Caf Champions League winners TP Mazembe as the two clubs clash in the return leg of the 2017 edition of the tournament at the National Sports stadium on Sunday.
It has been a long wait to partake in the Caf Champions League for CAPS United since 2005 when they won the last of back-to-back titles under Charles Mhlauri but the rejuvenated Green Machine appears determined to go all the way in the tournament, especially after last weekend’s impressive one all stalemate away in Democratic Republic of Congo.
CAPS United held the five time African champions TP Mazembe to a 1-1 draw in a CAF Champions League first leg tie in the DRC last weekend to keep alive their dream of making it to the group stages of the competition.
The Green Machine got off to a great start scoring with just 44 seconds on the clock when Abbas Amidu’s shot made a slight deflection to go in.
It was the perfect start for the Green Machine and stunned the home fans into silence. However, TP Mazembe were level after 12 minutes when Edmore Sibanda’s mistake gifted the DRC side.
Thus Sibanda believes the reverse fixture was an eye opener for Makepekepe.
30-year-old, Sibanda, who is fondly referred to as Zikeeper by the Green Machine faithful, said CAPS United are ready to finish off TP Mazembe.
Asked whether CAPS United players might not play into the hands of TP Mazembe given allegations of bribery and match fixing rampant on the continent especially when playing against moneybags of TP Mazembe’s calibre, Sibanda said: “I do not think it is all about money. In fact, if it was about money, CAPS United would not be where it is now.
“The game that we played in DRC was actually an eye opener to us. We learnt a number of crucial lessons. The technical contest is much stiffer at this level. The players and the coaches are ready for the match on Sunday and we sincerely hope that we will be able to finish off what we started.”
Sibanda’s attempt to save a shot saw the ball fall into a TP Mazembe striker’s path, who made no mistake to score making it one all.
Accordingly, Sibanda concedes that he made a blunder that cost the team a well deserved triumph away from home.
“I felt I made a blunder. I should have collected the ball well for the first time,” he said.
The big CAPS United goalkeeper made a passionate plea to football fans in the country to throng the National Sports Stadium on Sunday and support the home team from the first to the last whistle.
“I think this is not just for CAPS United but the entire nation. Progressive supporters of the game of football in Zimbabwe have to support the team at least for the sake of the nation. When we went to DRC we were taken aback by the way the people in that country support their own.
“They made us feel away from home from the time we landed at the airport. They created a hostile atmosphere for us and we knew we were away from home. During the match they clapped hands and cheered their players even when they made mistakes they would encourage them and not boo them.
“I pray that football fans come in their numbers and support the team. We are confident we will achieve what we want to if we get the support that we need,” said Sibanda.
TP Mazembe then almost scored a second four minutes later but were denied by Sibanda.
However, for the CAPS United family, winning the duel against TP Mazembe would be befitting remembrance for Makunike, together with the other two players, Shingirai Alron and Gary Mashoko, and two supporters, burned to death in a car accident after their car hit the pillar of the bridge and caught fire on 13 March, 2004.
