CAPS United F.C. is a Zimbabweanfootball 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.
The team is popularly known as the "Cup Kings" or "Makepekepe" due to their dominance in most cup tournaments.[citation needed] 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.[who?]
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.[1]
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed] On 12 January 2012, Sean Connor was appointed manager.[2]
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.[citation needed]
[3][4]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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