HARARE - Local football fans will finally get to witness their teams in action, when the much awaited 2013 Castle Premiership season explodes into life in what promises to be an exciting Easter holiday of football action.

CAPS United coach Brenna Msiska has wasted no time in suggesting his intentions of reviving his team’s soiled brand after a forgettable 2012 season which saw them finishing a disappointing tenth place.

Makepekepe will get their campaign underway on Thursday with a tricky assignment against ambitious side Harare City in the first of the four matches that are set to be beamed live on SuperSport in a busy Easter programme.

The Green Machine, have changed their management staff and roped in some new players as they seek to reclaim their position as one of the big teams in Zimbabwe with Msiska currently taking care of business in the absence of banned coach Taurai Mangwiro.

United have not given up on Mangwiro, who was slapped with a 10-year ban from football activities for his alleged role in the Asiagate scandal, hoping that he will get a reprieve from Zifa.

“I think the boys are now prepared mentally and physically for the games to start. Our preparations have been going on well and everyone is excited about the new season,” Msiska told Daily News yesterday.

“We have been working on assembling a competitive side and hopefully this project will work out accordingly and since this is a long-term thing, I appeal to our fans not to put the players under pressure.

“We have quite an exciting group of young players but they also need time to settle. But one thing that I can assure all our fans out there is that they will not be disappointed.’

Msiska wants his charges to begin the season on a positive note starting with their match against Harare City.

“It is important for us to start on a positive note and we are saying it is up to these new players to put more effort and do well. We are looking forward to be at the top there. CAPS United is a big team and we want to fight hard so that we revive its brand,” he said.

“But it won’t be an easy task especially against Harare City. They are a good side with a lot of good players and we respect them a lot. We have played them last year and they gave us quite a strong challenge and I think the better team will win on Thursday.”

The two teams have only met twice last year and both matches ended in draws.

The Green Machine warmed-up to the new season by participating in the NetOne Charity Shield where they lost 3-2 in the final to Chicken Inn.

Makepeke are likely to miss the services of midfielder Hardlife Zvirekwi, who is away in Egypt with the Warriors for their crucial World Cup qualifier against the Pharaohs tonight.

 But the Green Machine will however be hoping that new boys Tawanda Nyamandwe, Dominic Mukandi, Moses Muchenje and crew will raise to the occasion.

On the other hand Bigboy Mawiwi’s side is looking strong after acquiring several seasoned players during the break. Mawiwi has made his intentions clear of a championship medal.

The Sunshine Boys’ chairman Leslie Gwindi also declared that his side had just found the players who could form the backbone of the team good enough to lift the 2013 Castle Lager Premiership.

Gwindi even boasted that they have built an institution capable enough of knocking the big boys in the Premiership off their perch.

The Sunshine Boys acquired 13 new players with former Dynamos duo of David Kutyauripo and Martin Vengesayi lead the cast of new players that also include former Monomotapa pair of striker Osborne Mukuradare and midfielder Tendai Ngulube. - Godknows Matarutse

Thursday  

Motor Action v Hwange (Motor Action Sports Club),*Harare City v CAPS United (Rufaro), How Mine v Tripple B (White City)

Friday

Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas), Buffaloes v FC Platinum (Sakubva), Black Mambas v Dynamos (Morris Depot), *Black Rhinos v Monomotapa (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Triangle (Luveve)

Sunday

*CAPS United v Motor Action (Rufaro)

Monday

Triangle v Shabanie Mine (Gibbo), *Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Triple B v Black Mambas (Dulibadzimu/­Mucheke) Hwange v Black Rhinos (Colliery) Highlanders v Harare City (Barboufields) Monomotapa v Buffaloes (Gwanzura) FC Platinum v How Mine (Mandava)

 *denotes matches to be broadcasted by SuperSport