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.
History The team is popularly known as the "Cup Kings" or "Makepekepe", earned due to their success in cup tournaments in the late 1970s and 1980s. It was formerly nicknamed the Manchester Road Boys because of their former address.
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 Shacky Tauro and Brenna Msiska.
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.
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 large crowds. As for other rivalries, the matches between CAPS United and Bulawayo side Highlanders FC have been dubbed the "Battle of the Cities".
Crest
Honours Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League: 5 1979, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2016
Castle Cup / ZIFA Cup: 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 - Malawi Challenge Cup: 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
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 (2022–25) Ian Bakala (2025–)
Sponsors In September 2025, CAPS signed a deal with Green Dollar Coin Bank.
References
External links