CAPS United F.C. is a Zimbabwean football club based in Harare. Formed in 1973, the team rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was formerly nicknamed the Manchester Road Boys because of their former address. The team's current nicknames are "Makepekepe" and "Green Machine". Caps United was also known as the "Cup Kings" as they were known to perform well and win cup competitions.

CAPS United
Full nameCAPS United Football Club
Nickname(s)Makepekepe, Green Machine, Kepekepe Bhora.
Founded1973; 51 years ago (1973)
GroundNational Sports Stadium
Capacity80,000
ChairmanHonourable Farai Jere
ManagerLloyd Chitembwe
LeagueCastle Lager Premier Soccer League
20238th

History edit

The team is popularly known as the "Cup Kings" or "Makepekepe" due to their dominance in most cup tournaments.[citation needed] They are Harare's second most popular team after their rivals Dynamos F.C., whose fans refer to them as "Madzvinyu" (Lizards). While CAPS United have fewer trophies than Dynamos, they have produced some of the country's best players, including legends Shacky Tauro and Brenna Msiska, along with other great players.[who?]

In 1972, Maurice Kraemer decided to start an official football outfit to entertain workers at Central African Pharmaceuticals, a business based at Manchester Road. Just one year later CAPS Rovers was registered as a team in the Northern Region.[1]

Coach, Steven Kwashi led the team to victory in the 1996 championship. In 2004, Charles Mhlauri took over the club, winning back-to-back championships with the club only losing one game in 2004; a 4–3 home defeat to Highlanders F.C. in a thrilling game at the National Sports Stadium.[citation needed]

On 30 August 2010, Lloyd Chitembwe's 20-month stint as CAPS United's head coach ended when his contract was terminated by mutual consent, following a poor run of results that had sparked a rebellion among the club's fans.[citation needed] On 12 January 2012, Sean Connor was appointed manager.[2]

Due to the large fan bases and the passionate rivalry between CAPS United and the Dynamos, their games are referred to as the "Harare Derby", and they attract huge crowds. As for other rivalries, the matches between CAPS United and Bulawayo side Highlanders FC have been dubbed the "Battle of the Cities". In the past, these matches have been associated with violence with the match at Barbourfields Stadium in 2004 being abandoned due to crowd trouble in the 88th minute after CAPS United came from 3–1 down to level the match at 3–3.[citation needed]

Crest edit

Management edit

Honours edit

  • BP Cup: 4
1996;1997;1998/99:2002
1979, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2016
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983,1989, 1992, 1997,2004, 2008
1992, 1993, 1996, 1997
1996; 2017
2014

Performance in CAF competitions edit

1997 – Third Round
2005 – Second Round
2006 – disqualified in Second Round
2017 – Group Stage (Top 16)
2009 – First Round
2010 – Second Round of 16
1993 – withdrew in First Round
1994 – disqualified in First Round
1998 – withdrew in First Round
1981 – Second Round
1982 – Quarter-finals
1983 – Quarter-finals
1988 – First Round

Current squad edit

[3][4] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK   ZIM Tonderai L Mateyaunga
DF   ZIM Zvikomborero Biseki
DF   ZIM Devon Chafa
DF   ZIM Tongai Mangwendere
CB   ZIM Jimmy D Dzingai
CB   ZIM Justice Jangano
MF   ZIM Crispen Machisi
MF   ZIM Joel Ngodzo
GK   ZIM Joram Muchambo
DF   ZIM Hardlife Zvirekwi
RB   ZIM Valentine Musarurwa
MF   ZIM Rodwell Chinyengetere
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF   ZIM Devon Chafa
DF   ZIM Kudzai Nyamupfukudza
MF   ZIM Ian Nyoni
CB   ZIM Carlton Mudzambwa
RW   ZIM Phineas Bhamusi
MF   ZIM Tatenda Tavengwa
FW   ZIM Amon Kambanje
FW   ZIM Dominic Chungwa
FW   ZIM Ronald "Rooney" Chitiyo
GK   ZIM Edmore Sibanda
LW   ZIM Tafadzwa Rusike
FW   ZIM William Manondo
FW   ZIM Clive Augusto

Historical list of coaches edit

References edit

  1. ^ "History | CAPS United FC". capsutd.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Caps United to unveil Irishman as new coach – Nehanda Radio". 12 January 2012.
  3. ^ "Caps United FC". FootballZone. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  4. ^ Mashava, Dakarai (16 March 2012). "Caps Utd name squad". Daily News. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.

External links edit