The Sunday Mail
Makomborero Mutimukulu and Don Makanyanga
CAPS UNITED fans are yet to get their tongues to wrap around the name Abasirim Chidiebere, but that has not stopped the majority of them from believing that their new Nigerian striker is the real deal.
Chidiebere made his home debut in the 2-1 win over FC Platinum in midweek and should make the match day squad again for this afternoon’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro.
The cameo against Pure Platinum Play was his second appearance in the green and white strip after making his debut in the one-all draw at Tsholotsho.
The Nigerian was willed on by the green army with his every touch, no matter how basic, and every run was cheered wildly. The 25-year-old striker really looks the part; a real Oga, a boss on the park.
Huge frame, impressive musculature, overflowing confidence and great holding of the ball all combine to give Chidiebere the I-mean-business look.
He had one crack at goal against FC Platinum, a wide and wild shot which threatened the corner flag more that Petroes Mhari’s city end goal. But the Makepekepe faithful roundly applauded the effort.
This could all be desperation on the part of Caps fans. After all, eternal rivals Dynamos have the Cameroonian Ntouba Epoupa in fine fettle and they too would want an import they can show off.
Just as it is a tad early to expect the fans to be able to properly pronounce his name, it is also a little ealy to run the rule on the on the new Caps United man. And they may not get the chance to say his name right while he is still in green and white. Chidiebere has said Caps United is merely a transit lounge.
“I won’t be here for long, if everything goes well. I think I will be at Caps United for six months,” said Chidiebere.
He said the move to Makepekepe was part of a grand plan to revive a career he believes was slowly wasting away in Tanzania, where he spent three seasons playing for Coastal United.
“I needed a new challenge; something I felt I was no longer getting in Tanzania. When an opportunity came for me to play in Zimbabwe I did not hesitate to try it and I feel it was a good decision looking at how the league is here,” he said.
“I hardly knew anything about Zimbabwean football when I came here and the only teams I knew about were FC Platinum and Dynamos.
“At first I was supposed to join FC Platinum but my manager (George Deda) said he wanted me to play in the Champions League and that is how I ended up at Caps United.”
Negotiations between the striker’s camp and the league champions were anything but smooth and the chance to play in Africa’s premier club competition came and went.
“I was hurt by not playing in the Champions League as it was my target when I joined the team, but God knows everything. Maybe it was not my time yet to play in the Champions League. It’s all about seasons and my season to play for Caps United has arrived.
“Abbas (Amidu) did his part and it’s now my time to play my part and I promise I will put more than 100 percent effort to the club. I have set myself a target of between 5-10 goals and I can score more if I get enough game time and the fans need to be patient with me.”
It remains to be seen how this love story between the Zimbabwean champions and the strapping lad from Nigeria will unfold. But at the very least they now have a man to nudge Lloyd Chitembwe into throwing into the fray when Dominic Chungwa – as he is wont to do – goes off the boil.
