The return of former CAPS United captain Steven Makatuka is expected to stabilize the Castle lager psl champions who are languishing in relegation zone and going through a lean spell that has seen them Machine concede eight goals in their last four matches.

Makatuka who was offloaded by Amazulu of South Africa, completed his reunion with the club he helped win the championship last year after agreeing to a one-and-half year deal.

On Saturday, CAPS coach Lloyd Chitembwe was forced to field midfielder Devon Chaka in an unfamiliar role as a makeshift center-back after running out of options following an injury suffered by Justice Jangano.

The Green Machine scored two own goals, including one with the last kick of the game, in a chaotic ending to the game against Harare City at Rufaro to surrender a 2-1 lead and lose the match 2-3.

The PSL defending champions have already lost centre-back Denis Dauda to Yadah Stars while the absence of left-back Ronald Pfumbidzai, who is set to join South African Premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic and the injury to skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi midway during the battle against Harare City, meant they ended the match with a makeshift back four.

The defeat on Saturday led to a painful soul-searching exercise at the Green Machine with players, coaches and management holding a no-holds barred dressing room meeting at Rufaro that went on until late into the night.

Club president Farai Jere and chief executive Cuthbert Chitima were forced into action and spent the best part of Sunday in Chitungwiza negotiating terms with Makatuka who eventually agreed to pen a one-and-half year deal.

Makatuka was one of the leaders at CAPS United last season but left the club at the beginning of the year after being lured by Joey Antipas to join South African side Amazulu where he struggled for game time and decided to return home.

His availability sparked interest, notably from Ngezi Platinum with coach Tonderai Ndiraya, whose club is now in pole position to win the championship, talking to the defender to try and entice him into his Mhondoro stable.

But Makatuka felt that his interests were better served at his old club where he feels he has a special relationship with the fans and former teammates.