Kode hails Chitembwe

04 Dec, 2016 - 00:12 0 Views
Kode hails Chitembwe

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda —
FORMER Caps United kingpin Joe “Kode” Mugabe, one of the most revered captains in the history of the club, always believed the history-making Lloyd Chitembwe would make a good coach from the days they played together back in 1990s.

Breaking a prolonged silence on Makepekepe, the team that made him a league championship medal winner in 1996, Mugabe who relocated to the United Kingdom in 2002, heaped praises on his former midfield partner Chitembwe.

The 45-year-old Chitembwe was crowned the 2016 Castle Lager Coach of the Year on Friday night, after a magnificent season in charge of Caps United who won their first league title in 11 years.

Chitembwe is the only Caps United gaffer to have won the league title with the club as both a player and coach. He won the league title thrice as a player in 1996, 2004 and 2005.

It was back in 1996 when Mugabe partnered Chitembwe in a star studded Makepekepe midfield that also featured Farai “Mr Perfect” Mbidzo as Caps United cruised to their second ever league title. And there was something special Mugabe noticed about Chitembwe back then.

“Lodza (Chitembwe) showed a lot of qualities during his playing days. He never missed training, very punctual and serious.

“He was always eager to learn and very competitive. It has not surprised me that he has become one of the top coaches in Zimbabwe,” said Mugabe.

“I say congratulations to Caps United, the technical team, the players, the executive and the most important people at Caps United the supporters. I say a job well done.”

Now 48, Mugabe has found a new home in the United Kingdom and is part of the England based Caps United legends who are organizing a “Soccer Night” to celebrate Makepekepe’s achievements in Birmingham on December 10.

The event will also present all the Zimbabwean football legends based in the UK with a platform to discuss the future of the game in general. Frank “The Dealer” Nyamukuta, Brian Badza, Tichaona Nyenda, Raymond Undi and Artwell Mabhiza are some of the former Caps United players expected to attend.

Former Dynamos players Memory Mucherahowa and Chamu Musanhu as well as former Warriors keeper Muzondiwa Mugadza are the other household names who will speak on the night.

“We want to share ideas on how we can help our junior football in Zimbabwe. We believe in junior football, we know the importance of junior football because we came through strong junior structures.

“With strong juniors, we can build better national teams,” said Mugabe.

“Of course, we will also celebrate Makepekepe’s great achievement. Wherever I am I always speak about Caps United, this team has been a big part of my life and that will never change.

“Caps United made me who I am today and I will always be available to help when asked because I will always be a Makepekepe son.

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