The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United plunge into the Caf Champions’ League Group B clash against Zamalek of Egypt at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexadria on Friday night (today) but thousands of miles away from the match venue, their United Kingdom based national supporters executive committee member Beauty Hughes will be rooting for the Green Machine to perform yet another Houdini act in this money spinning phase of the continental football competition.
The match kicks off at 9pm local time.
CAPS United are still basking in the glory of eliminating favourites TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo from the competition, an achievement that earned the Harare giants a place in the group stage of the competition.
And tonight, Lloyd Chitembwe’s men will be back in the trenches of African football knowing that a win, or at least a draw, will spark wild celebrations back home where success in the game of football has eluded a predominantly football crazy nation.
Accordingly, the clubs United Kingdom based national supporters’ executive committee member Beauty Hughes, who spends most of her time in Mutare whenever she is back in the country, believes the Chitembwe coached outfit has the depth in talent to stand the heat, not only in Egypt but in the other group stage matches.
Hughes told this newspaper that the triumph against TP Mazembe was not a fluke but it was ample evidence of the fortitude in the Caps United Class of 2017.
“I think we have a good side that is not only capable of getting a good result in Egypt but also perform well in the other group stage matches of the Champions League.
“We played well and got the result that we wanted against TP Mazembe and everyone will attest to the fact that very few people gave us a chance against TP Mazembe.
“Therefore, this was a result that should give us confidence as we start the group stage competition even though we are not supposed to be relaxed because we outplayed TP Mazembe.
“This is an away match and we will be with them in spirit hoping that when they come back home we will be able to give the boys all the support that they need when they play at home,” said Hughes.
Media reports indicate that Egyptian football giants Zamalek are expecting a tough match against Zimbabwean champions Caps United. Zamalek managing director Khalid Jalal was quoted in the media stressing that the match against Caps would be a tough contest.
“The upcoming Caps United match will be very difficult, especially as it is our first match in the 16th round of the African championship,” Jalal said.
The five-time African champions refuted reports suggesting some of their key players Stanley, Tarek Hamed and Maarouf Youssef would not take part in the match. Zamalek beat Arab Contractors 2-1 in a recent league match and their coach Augusto Inacio rested several key players for that match in preparation for the Friday contest with Caps.
“I had to rest some of the regulars because of Africa. Zamalek are a big club, must win every local and continental match,” Inacio said.
CAPS United Squad:
Edmore Sibanda, Jorum Muchambo, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Valentine Musarurwa, Devon Chafa, Justice Jangano, Kudzanai Nyamupfukudza, Carlton Mudzambwa, Moses Muchenje, Dominic Chungwa, Phineas Bhamusi, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Tafadzwa Rusike, Abbas Amidu, Cabby Kamhapa, Dennis Dauda, Joel Ngodzo:
