The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
MANICA Diamonds star, Nyasha “Tito” Chintuli is a man on a mission.
The Sakubva-bred attacker is enjoying a bright start to his stint in the gold and black colours of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title contenders, who are also among the early pacesetters following an impressive take-off in the championship race.
So explosive have been his exploits that he has netted three strikes in as many consecutive matches for his new paymasters.
The fast-maturing marksman was last on target when his team forced a 1-1 draw away to Cranborne Bullets at Baobab Stadium in Ngezi to rescue a precious point.
This adds to the four he had scored while still on the books of Ngezi Platinum Stars, to take his tally for the season to seven so far.
He, however, fired blanks during the Gem Boys’ 0-0 stalemate against reigning champions, FC Platinum at Sakubva Stadium last weekend.
Now on seven strikes in nine matches, this roughly translates to averaging almost a goal in every game.
The fast-rising striker is keeping his foot on the ground and head up.
He has been in terrific form, with a sharp eye for goal that has seen him terrorising opposing defenders.
His eyes are on the ball and is relishing his role in the team as he seeks to take his career to another level.
He declared to have his mission come to fruition by continuing to score for fun and help the team achieve its targets for the season.
“My goal is to score plenty of goals. As a striker that is my main duty. To have the team rely on us as attackers for goals requires me to deliver. I feel that I am up for that challenge. This season I want to score as many goals as I possibly can and, of course, surpass my previous records for the past seasons.
“My goals should help the team achieve its targets and I am geared for that,” said the gifted striker, who is rapidly developing a ruthless streak to his game as a deadly sniper who is clinical in front of goal.
Chintuli cut his Premiership teeth at Triangle in 2019 during a season-long switch from Mutare prison wardens side, Tenax SC.
He had a return of seven goals throughout the season for the Lowveld-based sugarcane growers.
Ngezi Platinum Stars then scouted him following some dazzling displays and he found the nets four times in 10 games comprising a run to last year’s Chibuku Super Cup final and the first four games of this season.
The desire to be closer to his family saw the prolific gunslinger sign for hometown club, Manica Diamonds.
He has immediately repaid the faith shown in him with some scintillating service as he leads the team’s forward line with aplomb.
Chintuli has promised to deliver more.
“I know I played before home crowds during my time at Tenax SC in the lower division, but with Manica Diamonds in the Premiership, it is a different and delightful experience,” he said, adding: “I feel privileged to be part of this project and we should bring top honours to Manicaland. We also have to turn Sakubva into a fortress so that our fans keep flocking to the stadium in their multitudes.”
A product of the famed La Sakubva juniors project, the forceful forward is earning a reputation of being a fox in the box.
If Chintuli can sustain his hot streak of form, he will probably hit new heights in his blossoming career.
Reaching the 20-goal mark and clinching the Golden Boot this season will not be a far-fetched dream, he reckons.
“Everything is possible as long as one works hard in training and apply themselves with diligence during matches,” said Chintuli without his humility masking the confidence he exuded.
Boasting both athletic ability and a football mind, he has become a lethal weapon in Manica Diamonds’ arsenal
Chintuli is competing for a starting slot in the Gem Boys’ attack with the likes of ex-Tenax teammate, Farai Mugumwa and former Buffaloes forward, Lloyd Katongomara.
