Caps’ visit cut short

Zimbabwean top side Caps United left the country on Tuesday without playing extra friendly matches that were scheduled to take place in Lilongwe.

According to TopSports Limited, the firm that invited Makepekepe to take part in the inaugural Zambezi Soccer Challenge Cup which they eventually won last weekend, the Harare-based outfit had to return home earlier to fulfil other engagements.

Said TopSports operations manager Kevin Moyo: “The arrangement was that they would stay on for a couple of days to play at least two more friendly matches, one of them was supposed to be in aid of charity to raise funds for the late Lemiyasi Josta, a Mighty Wanderers fan who lost his life during the Balaka fracas late last year.

“But following a meeting that we had with Caps management, in particular their director Twine Phiri, they had to return to Harare for other engagements.”

However, Moyo said Caps have assured them that they will come again early March for the two friendly matches.

Phiri yesterday said they could not extend their stay as there were other logistical issues that needed to be looked into.

“We have to return to Harare today [yesterday], but we are planning to come again towards the end of this month for two friendly matches, preferably against Silver Strikers and Big Bullets in Lilongwe.

“We have held preliminary discussions with the stakeholders, but a final decision will be made in due course,” said Phiri.

He also hailed TopSports for organising “such a wonderful and beneficial tournament.”

“I am sure local teams have benefited a lot from the tournament as we have because it helped us tune up for the forthcoming season.”

Caps won the two-day tournament after beating Mighty Wanderers 1-0 in the final match on Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.