HARARE - CAPS United fans are worried at their club’s continued on and off field problems and have called on club president Twine Phiri to find a lasting solution as soon as possible.
The Green Machine have been in the spotlight, for wrong reasons, with the club struggling to secure funds needed for the team to travel to Bulawayo last week for a league tie against Bantu Rovers.
The 6-0 drubbing by FC Platinum in the ZNA Charity Shield last weekend summed up the crisis at one of the country’s best supported football clubs.
Makepekepe have this term launched a sustained title challenge but the disturbances at the club could dent the Green Machine’s title charge that seemed on course.
That is the sad tale of a club with a rich history of success – shining with a string of league and Cup honours paralleled only by Highlanders and Dynamos.
What makes the sad turn of events even more painful to the green section of the country is that, while CAPS are financially struggling, their main rivals Dynamos are sitting at the top of the table.
CAPS United fans, who spoke to the Daily News yesterday, has called on Phiri to stabilise his ship.
“The problem at CAPS United at the moment is Twine Phiri,” a staunch CAPS United fan Pagewell Muswapi said.
“The truth is that his partners are deserting him for being selfish and dishonest. The so called board has crumbled and its malfunction. This so called board does not even have the team at heart. They have their own agendas.
“It’s clear that Farai Jere is a genuine partners but Twine can’t give him more shares to ease the burden on him. He should swallow some pride and talk to Jere to help the team forward.
“For strange reasons he lied that he was away and yet he was at Pamuzinda enjoying himself in the company of Dynamos officials. I was there and I saw him.”
Another CAPS fan, Netsai Kabesa said Phiri should sometimes interact with the team’s fans.
“Twine rarely calls for meetings to discuss pertinent issues with supporters and this is not good at all because we have so many questions to ask him. It’s a common thing in other countries,” he said.
“As supporters we can even help in any way we can. He needs to dispose shares. Times are difficult yes but there are a lot of people out there who are prepared to help the team go forward.
“In my view I think if Phiri and Jere iron out their difference CAPS United can return to the old good days. Jere loves the team but he has been used by Phiri and how do you expect him to release his finances. There is need for a dialogue between the two.
“Imagine the team has been playing well and all of a sudden we start losing. How can players perform on empty stomachs? There is no motivation. It was the same thing last season”.
Leroy Mambo said: “This is not a laughing matter at all. It’s high time Phiri take us seriously. We are emotionally suffering because of him. We want to see CAPS United going back to it’s place as one of the best teams in the country.
Johannes Ratimba feels it’s a passing phase.
“These things happen in football. Just last month it was Dynamos and I am surprised with the way people are making stories out of this whole thing.
“Things are tight everywhere and companies are closing every day. I think the players need to stay focused. They should make use of these cup games because at least they are guaranteed their dues.
“I wouldn’t want to put the blame on anyone because things are not okay. It’s the economy which is not good.”