The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
AFTER Caps United’s goalless draw at ZPC Kariba in September last year, Sunday Chidzambwa summoned Abbas Amidu for a chat.
The veteran gaffer hinted at a possible reunion between the two, and reminisced a little on their short stint together at South African soccer outfit Black Leopards back in 2013.
Chidzambwa wanted Amidu to move to ZPC Kariba but with Makepekepe going on to win the league and a ticket to the Caf Champions League, the forward decided to stay put.
Now the reunion has come on the national team front with the in-form Caps United striker set to lead the Zimbabwe attack against Namibia this afternoon.
“I never imagined that the re-union Mhofu talked about would be at national team level,” said Amidu. “I worked with Sunday when I was in South Africa and he is one of the coaches who knows my abilities and still believes I can still do more. He is an experienced coach and understands me well.”
Amidu sees this latest Warriors call-up as a big opportunity to revive his international career.
“When I joined Caps united last year I was overweight and out of shape. I struggled in my first five games and was short on confidence. However, the support that I got from everyone at Caps United made a difference. I slowly began to find my footing and today here I am, back in the national team. I want to thank God for restoring my career.”
It looked all gloomy for Amidu when Kaizer Chiefs jettisoned him in 2012, which was to see him endure a nightmarish spell at Black Leopards. A sojourn to the United Arab Emirates turned out to be a disaster as well.
Amidu returned home and joined Caps United at the start of last season.
At Makepekepe he initially struggled to adjust but coach Lloyd Chitembwe urged him to focus on his game and worry less about a move back to a foreign club.
“Coach Lo taught me that life is not about shortcuts and challenged to let my football do the talking. One of the targets he set for me was a national team call-up and he is happy for me. And just like he predicted, the doors are starting to open,” said Amidu.
With Caps United having limited options in attack, Chitembwe turned Amidu from a winger into a striker.
The 27-year-old has flourished as a number nine and scored four goals for Caps United in the Caf Champions League.
“Most people were shocked by that switch and accused my coaches of being desperate but look at the results now. The coaches gave me confidence and I believe I have repaid their faith,” said Amidu.
Amidu is on the radar of several African clubs, including five-time African club champions Zamalek, but the former Kaizer Chiefs man is trying his best to keep his feet on the ground.
“I am not in a hurry to make a move; I need time to decide on my next move,” he said. “Over the years I have learnt that it’s not just about the money. You can get a deal that pays well but does not guarantee you game time.
“At this stage of my career I need to play more and that is something that will have a massive bearing on the decision I will make.”
