HARARE - Taurai Mangwiro was yesterday left overwhelmed after 91 trialists – including former Zimbabwe defender James Matola – turned up for CAPS United’s first pre-season training session, although the coach insists he only has room for three players.
Topping the list of former PSL and Division One players who converged at Italian Sports Club in the hope of impressing Mangwiro was 37-year-old former Dynamos defender Matola alongside ex-United players such as Eddie Mashiri, Evans Gwekwerere and Itai Chiware.
Mangwiro admitted he was impressed by the number of players trying to make the grade at United ahead of the 2014 season, but confessed he was looking to maintain the bulk of players from last season.
“The response is tremendous. We have 91 players trying out. But it’s unfortunate that I can’t take all of them,” Mangwiro told reporters on the side-lines of United’s training session.
“We have about 12 guys who have played in the premiership before. There is also Charles Mukanhaira, Lucky Kaisa and other Division One players trying out. But if we are to recruit, it will only be three players.
“But like I have told the players that turned up today, ‘if anything it’s always good to go through these trials’. If you don’t make it in my team, but I see that you are good. I can always recommend you to another coach.”
The CAPS gaffer said he would use Friday to assess the players on trials before continuing with his team’s pre-season training.