HARARE - After a forgettable season in which they had to fight against relegation, former champions CAPS United start pre-season preparations tomorrow ahead of the 2013 season.

CAPS, who finished a lowly 10th on the final Castle Premiership standings last season, have been quietly going about their business behind the scenes to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.

Makepekepe will re-group at the National Sports Stadium’s B Arena for their first training session with a number of new players expected to be present.

“We had a bad season last year, one of our worst seasons in the history of the club. We want to try and improve this year,” club CEO Max Mironga told the Daily News yesterday.

“As we begin our preparations for this year, we want to engage competitive sides which can give us a good measure of where we stand. We are going to play Sundowns next month and we are looking at playing six matches of that magnitude before the season begins in March.

“There could be some changes in the team but it’s all up to the coaches. There are new players who have been bought to bolster the team, but they will be unveiled at the club’s weekly press conference this week.

“We are also praying that our coach Taurai Mangwiro will be cleared form the Asiagate match-fixing scandal, but for the time being, his assistant Mkuphali Masuku will head the technical department.”

The Green Machine will unveil their latest acquisitions during Thursday’s presser.

The Harare giants have reportedly completed the signing of midfielder Gift Phiri from Motor Action.

Former Hippo Valley captain Dominic Chungwa has also completed his move to the capital.

United have also secured the services of exciting Pamushana High School student Takudzwa Muhori, a left-sided attacking midfielder who captained his school and was voted best player at the RG Mugabe National Under-20 championships last year.

The club has also recalled Norest Mukwezaramba, who was on season’s loan to Blue Rangers while negotiations for the Monomotapa trio of Tawanda Nyamandwe, Hillary Mugoniwa and Tendai Ngulube are said to be in progress.

Blue Rangers striker David Temwanjira as well as the Gunners trio of Wellington Kamudyariwa, Moses Muchenje and Willard Gondo are also expected join Makepekepe.

The Green Machine last achieved success in 2005 when they won back-to-back titles under the stewardship of  Charles Mhlauri. - Godknows Matarutse