CAPS United’s quest for silverware has taken another intriguing turn after the Green Machine were drawn against familiar Premier Soccer League rivals Manica Diamonds in the Round of 16 of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.

The Harare giants stormed into the Round of 16 after defeating Scottland Juniors 6-0 at Baobab Stadium in the previous round, but their reward is a meeting with a Manica Diamonds side they have already beaten twice in the 2026 Premier Soccer League season.

CAPS United won the first league encounter 2-0 in April, with Chawanangwa Kaonga and Allen Mukombedzi finding the net.

They repeated the feat in July, recording another 2-0 victory at Sakubva Stadium, with Kaonga and Kope Mugalu on target.

That gives CAPS United a psychological edge heading into the knockout clash, although the club’s leadership is refusing to take Manica Diamonds lightly.

“It’s the draw. It has been a fair draw, and we’ve been paired against Manica Diamonds. We respect our opponent; we’re within the same Premier League, so we’re hoping to have an exciting and very competitive match,” said CAPS United CEO Morton Dodzo.

The two league victories mean CAPS United have scored four goals without conceding against Manica Diamonds in their two meetings this season, but the cup encounter comes with significantly higher stakes.

CAPS United are determined to turn their impressive start in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup into a genuine silverware challenge.

“We’re looking forward to reaching even the finals. We want to do good to appease our fans, to appease our stakeholders, and also to provide a return to the investors,” Dodzo said.

The Green Machine’s emphatic 6-0 demolition of Scottland Juniors in the Round of 32 underlined their attacking threat, and the club now wants that momentum to carry into the knockout stages.

“It has been our ambition to compete and to win. We want to win things; we want to win cups,” Dodzo said.

The Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, which is being staged as Zimbabwe’s national knockout competition, has brought together Premier League clubs and teams from the lower divisions, with the Round of 16 scheduled for August 28-30.

The club CEO also praised ZIFA and the tournament sponsors for the organisation of the opening rounds.

“The first round of 32 was well coordinated, well organised, and we need to applaud them for that,” Dodzo said.

While the focus is now firmly on Manica Diamonds, CAPS United also addressed the growing rivalry with Scottland.

Scottland have emerged as one of the most talked-about opponents in Zimbabwean football this season, and CAPS United supporters have increasingly identified the new PSL side as a rival. However, the Green Machine stressed that their traditional rivalries with Dynamos and Highlanders remain firmly intact.

“We have Dynamos, which is one of the giants; it’s also our rival. We also have Highlanders, which is also a rival,” Dodzo said.

The CAPS United-Scottland rivalry has intensified as both clubs have enjoyed strong periods during the 2026 campaign, but the 6-0 cup victory over Scottland Juniors has ensured that Makepekepe enter the next stage with considerable confidence.

Manica Diamonds, however, will be determined to rewrite the script.

Having already suffered two defeats to CAPS United this season, they now have a chance to eliminate their tormentors when it matters most.

Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 16 Fixtures for PSL Teams

Ngezi Platinum Stars vs Herentals FC

FC Platinum vs Blackrock

Chilli FC vs Bulawayo Chiefs

Jordan FC vs Hardrock

FC Hunters vs Hwange FC

Triangle FC vs Blanket Mine

CAPS United vs Manica Diamonds

Scottland vs MWOS U-19