SOCCER: The rebirth of Tsipa

08 Mar, 2015 - 00:03 0 Views
SOCCER: The rebirth of Tsipa

The Sunday Mail

WHEN new Caps United coach Mark Harrison finally appeared at the Reserve Bank Sports Club after weeks of doubt over his availability, the sight of a seemingly old, overweight and tired bald-headed striker struck him.

“Why would I need a 33-year-old striker in my squad; what would he offer me when I am here to rebuild Caps United and make them competitive for years to come?” Harrison asked himself after his first encounter with Leonard Tsipa.

The veteran striker knew he had it all to do to convince Harrison into giving him a contract and he worked hard in his bid to impress.

However, until last Sunday in the Bob Super Cup play-off against Highlanders at Barbourfields the new Caps United coach hadn’t been impressed by Tsipa.

Coming on as a second half substitute, Tsipa put up a stellar performance with his combination with new boy Rodreck Mutuma in those 55 minutes or so he played in Bulawayo, making Harrison have a change of heart.

“He earned his contract during that game,” Harrison conceded last week.

“My first reaction when I first saw him was, ‘honestly would I really need a 33-year-old in my squad’.

“But Leonard has shown a fantastic side of him that I never imagined existed; he is really showing the youngsters how it’s done.

“He has been showing them how a real professional footballer should conduct himself at training.

“He has come in and given us another dimension; he is still a massive player and that is why we have decided to give him a contract whose details can only be availed by the player himself,” added Harrison after Makepekepe’s Thursday morning workout.

Amid the rave reviews, Tsipa, who sources say has been offered a one-year contract, looked calm, focused and disciplined throughout the week’s training sessions.

He refused to talk to the media, preferring to speak after today’s game.

“I will do my talking after the game against Dynamos,” said Tsipa.

Caps United skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi believes the arrival of an old gun like Tsipa will help the youngsters to cope with the pressure that comes with playing for a well-financed Makepekepe outfit.

“The veteran’s input has been so important,” said Zvirekwi.

“It’s motivating for the youngsters to play alongside someone they idolised when they were growing up.

“Tsipa has seen it all and his presence will go a long way in stabilising the squad.”

Meanwhile, the return of Tsipa has also excited his former teammate Raymond Undi.

The former Caps United winger revealed that he had always implored Tsipa to seriously consider a comeback and is thrilled that his friend has taken the plunge.

“I think he did the best thing going back to where it all started, the club that gave him a name. I do believe he can make a huge difference.

“He has done it before. To me, he is one of the best strikers that I ever played with in my career. As long as he is fit and up, he will be every defender’s nightmare,” said the United Kingdom-based Undi.

Exactly a decade ago, a then youthful Tsipa rocked the Premiership alongside his most trusted “partner in crime”, Brian “Marcopolo” Badza.

Caps United’s last league titles under the tactical genius of Charles Mhlauri in 2004 and 2005, are largely attributed to the duo’s potency in front of goal.

Badza earned a contract with Belgian side Germinal Beerschot soon after that trailblazing era, but has since retired from professional football.

Tsipa stayed behind, hopping from one club to another and even played for bitter rivals Dynamos in the 2008 season before disappearing from the limelight.

He resurfaced at Caps United in 2010, but was fired towards the end of that season alongside David Sengu for allegedly fanning dissent at the club.

He has now been given a new lease of life and it remains to be seen how far his 33-year-old legs will carry him.

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