The Sunday Mail
IT is widely claimed that there is something, that intrinsic drive that always pushes one to go back to where it all started before calling it a day.
Last Sunday Ashley Rambanapasi, now 33, made a surprise return to Caps United in their crucial 1-0 victory over FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium, coming on as a late substitute.
Although he never made contact with the ball for the ten or so minutes he was on, Rambanapasi was overwhelmed and felt like he was starting his career all over again.
“I felt honoured wearing that green and white jersey once more,” he said.
Prior to last Sunday’s surprise return, Rambanapasi had last kicked a Premiership ball on September 5, 2011 when he scored for Makepekepe in a 3-1 win over Highlanders at the same venue.
A combination of a recurring knee injury and a back problem stalked the gifted player who had to undergo operation in October 2011.
He spent two years on the sidelines and only resurfaced last season, playing three games for Northern Region Division One side Starbill.
Such a backdrop gave his critics ammunition to play down his contribution to a Caps United side expected to challenge for honours under English coach Mark Harrison.
At 33, his fierce critics feel Rambanapasi no longer has anything worthwhile to offer Makepekepe who are building a team for the future.
They are questioning whether “Ashaz”, as his close buddies like to call him, or “Compressor”, as he is affectionately known by the legion of Makepekepe supporters, still carries that turbo-charged engine that powered the Green Machine during Charles Mhlauri’s fruitful spell at United 10 years ago.
Rambanapasi insists he has a lot to offer.
“If the great Andrea Pirlo of Juventus can still play at that level at 35, if Murape Murape did it at Dynamos, then what is wrong with Rambanapasi playing in the top flight at 33?
“Most of my brothers in football like David Kutyauripo and George Magariro are still playing, I have a lot to offer.
“Caps United invested a lot into my career ever since I was still a junior and I feel I have to do something for the club, repay the club for the faith they had in me since I was a kid,” he said.
The dreadlocked central midfielder, who won two championship medals with Makepekepe in 2004 and 2005, is delighted to be back at the Green Machine. He is now talking spiritual too and believes the work of God, through his prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa of the UFIC, is the reason why his recurring knee and back injuries are now a thing of the past.
“I am healed, thanks to my prophet and the God that I now believe in. I am fit again to play top flight football, those 10 minutes I played last week were special to me.
“It was like I was starting my career all over again.
“Caps United is a big institution, a club that should be used to winning week in week out.
“Playing for Caps is not all about one’s performance on the pitch, a number of external factors considered.
“I have noticed that we have a brilliant squad, full of talented youngsters, what is needed is just a winning mentality, that die-hard mentality.
“I may or may not play against Dynamos on Monday (tomorrow), but I know I have an important role to play because we used to beat DeMbare in and out back then,” he said.
Rambanapasi’s return comes hard on the heels of another comeback by Leonard Tsipa – a player who also featured in the Caps United Classes of 2004 and 2005 that beat DeMbare in all four Harare Derbies.
United coach Harrison admits that experience is key in his mission to transform the Harare side.
“You need experience as well, Leonard brings experience to the team and so does Ashley. That is the reason why I signed Ashley at the last minute. He is an inspiration to the youngsters, a great leader.
“If you got to be challenging for honours at the end of the season, you need experienced players in your squad, that’s for sure,” Harrison said, soon after the victory over FC Platinum.
