Caps United, The Green Machine, have stumbled out of the gates in the 2025 Premier Soccer League season, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads. Despite boasting a squad brimming with top talent, Lloyd Chitembwe’s side has yet to hit their stride, managing just one point from their opening two fixtures and languishing in 16th place—deep in the relegation zone. While it’s still early days, the pressure is already mounting for the Harare-based giants to turn their fortunes around.
The season began with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Green Fuel on Matchday One. Jayden Bakaris’s 56th-minute strike salvaged a point for Caps United on the road, but the performance lacked the cutting edge and fluidity that fans have come to expect from the club. Bakaris’s goal was a rare bright spot in an otherwise disjointed display, raising questions about the team’s ability to gel under Chitembwe’s stewardship.
Things went from bad to worse in their second outing, as Caps United faced a star-studded Scottland side that had been busy bolstering their ranks during the transfer window. The Green Machine started brightly, showing glimpses of their potential in a spirited first-half performance. However, they failed to maintain their intensity after the break, conceding a goal in the 49th minute. Despite creating several chances and knocking on Scottland’s door repeatedly, Caps United were unable to find the equaliser. To rub salt in the wound, Scottland’s Sadney Urikhob delivered a sucker punch in the sixth minute of added time, sealing a 2-0 victory and leaving Chitembwe fuming on the touchline.
The Caps United gaffer didn’t mince his words after the match, pointing to defensive lapses as the primary culprit for the defeat.
Next up, Caps United travel to the Green Fuel Arena to face Triangle FC, a newly promoted side that has shown flashes of promise despite their mixed start to the campaign. Triangle gave Scottland a run for their money on Matchday One, only to be undone by a costly defensive error in a narrow 1-0 defeat. However, they were brought crashing back down to earth in their following game, suffering a humiliating 4-1 thrashing at the hands of TelOne.
For Caps United, this is a must-win game. The Green Machine cannot afford to drop points against a team still finding its feet in the top flight. Chitembwe will be demanding a response from his players, particularly in the final third, where they’ve lacked the killer instinct needed to turn promising build-up play into goals. The midfield trio of Bakaris, Tafadzwa Rusike, and Phineas Bamusi will need to dictate the tempo and provide the creative spark, while the defense must tighten up to avoid another costly collapse.
On paper, Caps United should have enough quality to edge out Triangle FC, but as the old adage goes, football isn’t played on paper. Triangle will be no pushovers, especially on home soil, and they’ll be desperate to bounce back from their TelOne drubbing. Caps United’s early-season woes have left them with little margin for error, and another slip-up could see them further entrenched in the relegation dogfight.
As the Green Machine gears up for this crucial clash, the question on everyone’s lips is whether Chitembwe can rally his troops and steer the ship back on course. With the league table already starting to take shape, Caps United can ill afford to let the season slip away before it’s even begun. The fans will be hoping for a statement performance—one that reminds the league why Caps United are considered one of Zimbabwe’s most storied clubs.
For now, though, the pressure is on. The Green Machine must find their rhythm—and fast—or risk being left behind in what promises to be a fiercely competitive Premier Soccer League season.
