Chimbiro: Scottland better equipped, but Makepekepe can still hunt them down with depth

Harare giants Caps United Football Club sit second at halfway in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, yet former Caps United Supporters Association Harare Chapter Secretary General Courage Chimbiro believes defending champions Scottland Football Club remain the team to beat.

Makepekepe trail Norman Mapeza’s side by 4 points after 18 matches.

That gap widened yesterday when Scottland dispatched Hardrock FC 2-0 at Rufaro Stadium in a top-of-the-table showdown, while Makepekepe were held in Shamva.

Chimbiro, who watched CAPS grind out a 0-0 draw at Agama FC in Shamva, credits coach Takesure Chiragwi and club president Farai Jere for rebuilding a competitive squad. But he says depth will decide the title race.

“On paper, CAPS United of this stature should put teams like Agama to the sword,” Chimbiro told Fanzone. “But the PSL has improved. Any team can beat anyone now.”

He praised goalkeeper Wallace Magalane for crucial saves that salvaged a point, but flagged the Green Machines’ struggles after Tanaka Shandirwa’s late substitution.

“Midfield balance died when Tanaka came off. Wallace kept us in the game with a number of great saves. That midfield vaccum after Shandirwa was pulled out showed our thin squad,” he noted.

Chimbiro believes Scottland’s experience and squad quality give them the edge.

Mabvira-vira boast of free scoring Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, Nelson Chadya, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Peter Muduhwa – all proven winners under Mapeza.

It fits a pattern. Mapeza lost his first five games en route to the 2009 title with Monomotapa, pipping Dynamos by a point.

At FC Platinum he struggled early in all four of his championship seasons, before finishing strong.

Scottland followed the script this year – shaky start, 4-point lead by halfway.

“Scotland are better equipped to defend their title,” Chimbiro admitted. “That experience under Mapeza is unmatched right now.”

His message to the CAPS executive is clear: reinforce in the mid-season break.

“If we add quality depth, we can challenge for top honours or secure a top 3 finish,” he said. “Without it, Scotland’s bench will kill us in the run-in.”

Chimbiro is still hopeful. He’s banking on CAF Champions League football stretching Scotland’s squad later this year.

“When Scotland enter the African safari, that extra workload could give Makepekepe the edge domestically,” he said.

For now, Chiragwi’s project has CAPS dreaming again.

Whether they can sustain it may come down to what Jere does in the transfer market.