CAPS United F.C.

CAPS United F.C. is a Zimbabwean football club based in Harare. Formed in 1973, the team rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was formerly nicknamed the Manchester Road Boys because of their former address. The team's current nicknames are "Makepekepe" and "Green Machine". Caps United was also known as the "Cup Kings" as they were known to perform well and win cup competitions.
History
The team is popularly known as the "Cup Kings" or "Makepekepe" due to their dominance in most cup tournaments. They are Harare's second most popular team after their rivals Dynamos F.C., whose fans refer to them as "Madzvinyu" (Lizards). While CAPS United have fewer trophies than Dynamos, they have produced some of the country's best players, including legends Shacky Tauro and Brenna Msiska, along with other great players.
In 1972, Maurice Kraemer decided to start an official football outfit to entertain workers at Central African Pharmaceuticals, a business based at Manchester Road. Just one year later CAPS Rovers was registered as a team in the Northern Region.
Coach, Steven Kwashi led the team to victory in the 1996 championship. In 2004, Charles Mhlauri took over the club, winning back-to-back championships with the club only losing one game in 2004; a 4–3 home defeat to Highlanders F.C. in a thrilling game at the National Sports Stadium.
On 30 August 2010, Lloyd Chitembwe's 20-month stint as CAPS United's head coach ended when his contract was terminated by mutual consent, following a poor run of results that had sparked a rebellion among the club's fans. On 12 January 2012, Sean Connor was appointed manager.
Due to the large fan bases and the passionate rivalry between CAPS United and the Dynamos, their games are referred to as the "Harare Derby", and they attract huge crowds. As for other rivalries, the matches between CAPS United and Bulawayo side Highlanders FC have been dubbed the "Battle of the Cities". In the past, these matches have been associated with violence with the match at Barbourfields Stadium in 2004 being abandoned due to crowd trouble in the 88th minute after CAPS United came from 3–1 down to level the match at 3–3.
Crest
Management
Manager: Lloyd Chitembwe
Assistant Manager: Nelson Matongorere
Assistant Manager: Fungai "Tostao" Kwashi
Assistant Manager: Tonderai Marume
Honours
BP Cup:4
1996;1997;1998/99:2002
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League: 5
1979, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2016
Castle cup, ZIFA cup, CBZ: 9
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983,1989, 1992, 1997,2004, 2008
Zimbabwean Independence Trophy: 4
1992, 1993, 1996, 1997
Zimbabwean Charity Shield: 2
1996; 2017
Zambezi Challenge Cup - Malawi: 1
2014
Performance in CAF competitions
CAF Champions League: 4 appearances
1997 – Third Round
2005 – Second Round
2006 – disqualified in Second Round
2017 – Group Stage (Top 16)
CAF Confederation Cup: 2 appearances
2009 – First Round
2010 – Second Round of 16
CAF Cup: 3 appearances
1993 – withdrew in First Round
1994 – disqualified in First Round
1998 – withdrew in First Round
CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 4 appearances
1981 – Second Round
1982 – Quarter-finals
1983 – Quarter-finals
1988 – First Round
Current squad
Historical list of coaches
Sarupinda [wasu]
Ashton Nyazika
Lovemore Nyabeza
Freddie Mukwesha
Nti Bihene Bonzu
Shaky Tauro
Kabole
Mafemba
Friday Phiri
Steve Kwashi
Brenna Msiska
Luke Masomere
Justin Mathuthu
Rahman Gumbo (2002–03)
Fewdays Musonda (2003)
Charles Mhlauri (2004–05)
Lloyd Chitembwe (2008–10)
Moses Chunga (2010–11)
Sean Connor (2012)
Mkhuphali "Mike" Masuku (2012)
Taurai Mangwiro (2013–14)
Mark Harrison (2015)
Lloyd Chitembwe (2015–19)
Darlington Dobo (2019–22)
Lloyd Chitembwe (2022-)
References
External links
Association football clubs established in 1973
Football clubs in Zimbabwe
Sport in Harare
1973 establishments in Rhodesia
Works association football teams