GIANTS CAPS United’s near perfect trip to Algeria was spoiled on
arrival at the Algeria International Airport this morning when the
team discovered that the luggage containing their training balls was
missing.
Head of delegation Austin Chishanga said the Harare giants lost 15
balls and had to run around with Makepekepe chief executive Cuthbert
Chitima in the afternoon to secure replacement balls as the team had
scheduled their first training session in the evening.
The Green Machine are expected to clash with USM Alger tomorrow night
(9pm) in a decisive Group B clash at the July 5 Stadium.
Chishanga however was impressed by the reception they got from the USM
Alger officials and the Zimbabwe Ambassador to Algeria, Edwin George
Mandaza, and his support staff.
“I’m happy the flights were on schedule and we were received well by
the hosts and the members of the Zimbabwean Embassy in Algeria.
“The hotel we are staying in is five-star and this has raised the
morale among the boys. Remember it’s CAPS united paying their own
bills because when these guys came to Harare they met their own
expenses.
“But on an embarrassing note, we have discovered that one of our bags
containing soccer balls is missing.
“When we checked in at the Harare International Airport we had seven
items direct to Algeria but upon arrival here we got six tags. I can’t
fault our hosts USM Alger but I suspect that it had to do with either
the airline or the Airport staff.
“So we have lodged a complaint with the Airline and they promised to
investigate the issue. They gave us the assurance that if the luggage
was mistakenly left in Rome then they would put it on the next flight
that arrives at midnight.
“So I will be returning to the airport at midnight with the chief
executive (Cuthbert Chitima) to check if the balls are sent. But in
the meantime we have to buy replacement balls since the team has a
training session in the evening,” said Chishanga.