The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi Sports Correspondent
MUTARE-BORN CAPS United forward Phineas Bamusi has saluted his teammates for rising to the occasion and completing the job of advancing to the group stages of the Caf Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
MaKepekepe played out a goalless draw against five-time champions and Congelese giants TP Mazembe at the National Sports on Sunday in the first round, second leg tie, a result that was good enough to secure them passage to the next round after holding their opponents 1-1 away in Lubumbashi the previous weekend.
The Green Machine subsequently advanced on away goals rule. Group stage games are scheduled for the weekend of May 12.
Speaking to Post Sport, the Dangamvura-raised slippery winger expressed delight with having played a part and contributed to writing a glorious chapter in the club’s finest moment.
“To have been part of this group that has achieved such a feat is fulfilling.
“I am extremely blissful as an individual and also happy for everyone associated the club, especially the fans who have been behind us all the way. Everyone at CAPS United is sharing in this success that our hard work and commitment to this cause has brought us all,” purred Bamusi about their perfect accomplishment.
“So far so good for the club in this competition and every game thus far has been huge due to the magnitude of the tournament.
“The challenge of participating in this competition is a huge motivation itself that succeeding and advancing to the later stages also carries an extra incentive.
“This was a team effort and collectively we are happy that we pulled it off.”
There was a positive vibe in their camp and bullish mood among the players going into Sunday’s crucial clash, Bamusi added, with his teammates fully geared for the challenge and raring to go.
Going into the match, MaKepekepe were in the right shape and perfect frame as they grinded out a result that carried the day.
Technically and tactically they proved they had adequate arsenal to do the job.
“One of the most important strategies for us was to prevent them from scoring, especially first, because we knew a goalless draw was enough to take us through.
“We managed to play as a compact unit since we had a clear game plan,” he spoke of their tactical approach, “and knew exactly what we had to do in order to properly deal with them.”
“Blunting and neutralising their attacking threat worked well for us since our focus was on how good we needed to exert ourselves and manage the game effectively so that we achieve the desired result.
“After coping well through some fine work in the away leg we knew we stood a chance in the return home leg.”
For the Green Machine, the job was only half done in each leg and it took both legs to complete the work.
Getting something out of the two ties was enough to propel them into the money-spinning mini-league.
Key to CAPS United’s impressive progress since coach Lloyd Chitembwe took over, Bamusi explains, has been the purposefulness, harmony and work ethic, a daily staple which has seen the club pulling in the same direction altogether.
“We are enjoying unity in the current set-up, a superb system that has cascaded from the administration to the technical staff and down to the players.
“Everyone is ready to fight for each other in pursuit of our goals as a club,” said the former Buffaloes and Mutare United star in his attribution.
Bamusi, who has started all four of CAPS United’s games in the tournament so far also hailed the league champions’ faithful and urged them to continue rallying behind the team in their quest to conquer Africa.
He exhorts the usually vegetable-waving fans to back the team to the hilt.
This they can do by coming to National Sports, where their championship-winning heroes remain unbeaten in over a year, in their droves to the giant stadium and play the 12th man’s role.
“Our team is very competitive and can really go a long way in this competition and others as well, only if our supporters do their bit part.
“To have them attend our home matches can lend weight to our cause and is certainly a huge factor that boosts our morale and soars our spirits. We need our fans all the time and with them behind us we can emerge victorious in our battles,” said the Green Machine’s Players’ Player of the Year.
Declaring himself and the club ready to continue with their excursion on the Africa front, Bamusi says he is relishing the prospect of taking on some of the continent’s best.
“Playing at the highest level of any competition is every player’s dream and a worthwhile experience.
“As CAPS United, we are up for the challenge. On our day we are as good as any side and will take each game as it comes while fighting to go all the way.”
MaKepekepe now walk with a spring in their step after sprightly marching into the Caf Champions League group stage for the first in the club’s history, becoming only the third local club after Dynamos and Monomotapa to have made it to that prestigious phase.
