CAPS Utd overhaul goalkeeping department

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

EXPERIENCED goalkeeper Ashley Rayners is set to leave CAPS United as the giants press ahead with a clean overhaul of the goalkeeping department ahead of the 2025 season.

The Green Machine made the drastic decision not to renew the contracts of their top three goal minders, including first choice and former captain Tonderai Mateyaunga, as well as the understudy goalkeeper, Tapiwa Rusenza.

Rayners, who turns 32 in a fortnight, has a two-year contract with Makepekepe.

The club’s Chief Executive Officer Morton Dodzo confirmed the departure.

“The club’s position is that we did not renew his contract. We would like to thank Rayners for his services to the club for the last two years. He is free to join any club of his choice,” said Dodzo.

Rayners is believed to be on his way to Premiership side GreenFuel. He experienced mixed fortunes when he was intermittently called on to replace Mateyaunga, who had recurrent struggles with injuries.

Sources say the club’s leadership believes the department cost them last season after conceding 39 times in 34 games played during the campaign.

This was the third worst record in 2024 after relegated Hwange’s 42 and bottom-placed Arenel Movers, who let in 44 goals.

In contrast, Makepekepe were among the top-scoring teams in the league with 38 goals in the bag, yet they finished the campaign a disappointing ninth.

CAPS United have since signed two goalkeepers, including Ghanaian Stephen Odai Kwaku and highly-rated Harmony Nare from ZPC Hwange.

Kwaku, who was a member of the Ghana national team for the CHAN finals held in Algeria early last year, is a veteran goalkeeper with 11 international caps and top-flight football experience under his belt.

He arrived in Harare this week for the pre-season training.

Makepekepe have since taken their preparations a gear up with the coach Lloyd Chitembwe still looking around to add more goalkeepers to his roaster.

“The bottom line is we need to have a strong goalkeeping department to balance the squad. If you have been following, we are working on strengthening the whole team,” Dodzo said.

“That’s why we have brought in two very good goalkeepers to take those positions. I cannot speak on behalf of the coaches, but I understand they are looking for two more young goalkeepers,” he added.

Makepekepe are looking to build on the core of last season’s squad after retaining most of their players. They lost former captain Godknows Murwira and Kingsley Mureremba to new boys Scottland.

But they have made some strong signings for the infield players, with their biggest catch being the surprise signature of United Kingdom-born Zimbabwean international Kundai Benyu.

The Green Machine have also roped in Yadah midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa, who was on loan at city rivals Dynamos, and Congolese international Love Bissila Mabiala to cement the midfield department.

Makepekepe have replaced veteran forward Lot Chiwunga with former Dynamos and Manica Diamonds striker Nyasha Chintuli, who is returning home after a stint in Lesotho.