The ManicaPost
ESTEEMED followers of the game of football, thank you for finding time for interaction.
While CAPS United and Ngezi Platinum Stars will be flying Zimbabwe’s flag high in Africa, Mutare shall not be short of any representation as two of its sons – Phineas Bamusi and Liberty Chakoroma – will be in action, each turning out for the two clubs respectively.
From proudly representing the city, the two are also now representing the country on the continent.
MaKepekepe, last season’s title winners, are taking part in the CAF Champions League, while Madamburo, the Chibuku Cup champions, are participating in the Confederation Cup.
CAPS United, as have Ngezi Platinum Stars, are in the first round of the competition after securing passage to the next round following their elimination of Lesotho’s Lioli and Pamplemousse of Mauritius respectively.
MaKepekepe take on Democratic Republic of Congo giants and former champions, TP Mazembe on Sunday away in Lumumbashi, while Madamburo square off with Clube Recreativo Desportivo do Libolo on their visit to Calulo, Angola, tomorrow (Saturday).
The weekend matches are the first legs.
But, as a sideshow to those continental games, it is Bamusi and Chakoroma, whom many a Mutare football follower’s eyes will be firmly on. For the majority, it is easy to remember the pair as they both at one time turned out for Buffaloes under the then coach, Saul Chaminuka, calling Sakubva Stadium their home.
After leaving the army side for greener pastures, the duo is now enjoying its football at the two champions where they have become integral components in their respective teams and must be relishing the window of opportunities the African safari, where they will play some of the continent’s heavyweights if they proceed to the latter stages of the competition, opens.
While Chakoroma has been in Africa before as part of the Young Warriors who played against the likes Cameroon and Botswana, among others, this, however, is his first time, together with Bamusi, to compete in Africa at club level.
Another local-raised player expected to play a role and represent Mutare in Africa this weekend is Chakoroma’s teammate, Tichaona Mabvura.
It, therefore, becomes a Mutare connection in the African safari this weekend.
Bamusi and Chakaroma have both started and enjoyed considerable game-time in the two legs of the preliminary round and the Ngezi Platinum Stars skipper already has a goal to his name in the competition after netting from the penalty spot as the Mhondoro miners held Pamplemousse 1-1 away in Mauritius in the first leg.
Such is the importance of Sakubva-born Chakoroma – a utility player who weighs in with important goals and equally at home playing in defence as he is in midfield and attack – to the Madamburo squad that he has been made team captain.
The La Sakubva juniors product is a former Zamba Primary and Elise Gledhill pupil who used to play hweshe (plastic balls) on the dusty streets of the high-density township’s Old Location, Maonde and Muchena.
Mabvura and Bamusi are ex-Mutare Boys’ High students.
Diminutive lively forward Bamusi is also a vital cog in the Green Machine, which has seen him laying on several assists for his striker teammates and being crowned CAPS United’s players’ player of the year last season. His pacy wing play and livewire trickery makes him such a handful to opposing defenders.
And such is the high profile importance of participating in Africa’s premier club tournaments that it comes with the broadened horizon and also provides a raised platform for showcasing one’s talent on a more grand stage than the local Premiership where scouts from foreign clubs will be watching and ready to swoop on impressive players.
Zimbabwe international forward Khama Billiat had arguably the finest moment of his blossoming career after a memorable outing with eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League and was rewarded for his exploits by being named as the second best player on the continent after clinching the runner-up spot in the CAF player of the year based in Africa award and also making the CAF team of the year in Africa finest XI.
After impressing in both legs and narrowly losing out to Masandawana in the same competition, the then Chicken Inn coach, Joey Antipas, courted the interest of AmaZulu who then lured him to South Africa.
The Gamecocks’ Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchelle Katsairo also joined the Great Trek after both were snapped up by Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs.
So, all Mutare eyes will be on our homeboys, Chakoroma, Bamusi and Mabvura as they represent the diamond-mining city on the African front.
It’s Game On, Play On!
Feedback:
When footballers protest over non-payment of their salaries and allowances, ZIFA label them as unpatriotic.
When the players get injured, they are replaced to be quickly forgotten. Equally, when they (players) die, they (ZIFA) do not show up. Footballers, even by clubs, are only wanted when they are fit to run and kick the ball. – Richard Mahuhushe Chauke.
The absence of the Zimbabwe Under-20 team at the 2017 tournament in Zambia is a cause for concern to our game. Such slumps must be avoided. Let us perfect the way we do things. – Crispen Tendai Masenhu.
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