The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda —
ONE of the finest ever keepers to emerge in Zimbabwe and the first goalkeeper to win the Soccer Star of the Year award in 1982, Japhet “Short Cat” Mparutsa, regrets not having played at the African Cup of Nations finals.
As the clock ticks towards the 2017 Afcon finals which kick off in Gabon on January 14, the UK-based Mparutsa has thrown his weight behind the current group of Warriors.
The 53-year-old Mparutsa broke into the Warriors first team at 19 and at one time was the first choice for the national Under-20, Under- 23 as well as the senior team.
The former Darryn T, Dynamos and Black Rhinos shot stopper has also backed current number one keeper Tatenda Mukuruva (20) to shine at the Afcon finals.
This is despite scepticism about the Dynamos keeper’s height and ability to deal with crosses.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, the “Short Cat” also explained why he chose to sponsor Mukuruva’s training kit, a move some deemed was tantamount to anointing the De- Mbare keeper for the finals when coach Kallisto Pasuwa had not even announced his travelling party.
“I never played at the Afcon finals and it hurts. If you are a player you need to play in a cup final, play in a big competition or a huge tournament.
“We had a great team back then but we couldn’t qualify. It was not our time,” said Mparutsa, who starred in a Warriors side that had the likes of the late Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma (late), Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa and Shacky “Mr Goals” Tauro (late).
The legendary keeper remembers very well the 1986 Afcon qualifiers campaign, especially the match they lost 0-3 against a Senegal side led by the great Jules Bocande on September 1, 1985 in Dakar.
Mparutsa was named man of the match despite picking up the ball from his net three times.
“Senegal had about two or three players playing in France, at that time Bocande was the leading scorer in the French Ligue 1.
“We did put up a good fight but if you didn’t have professional players in your team those days, it was difficult.
“That is why I believe these boys can do it in Gabon. It is not going to be easy but they can do it. There are no more big or small teams in international football.”
The chat inevitably swayed towards the Mukuruva issue.
“Some people were saying I want him to be the Zimbabwe number one keeper but hold on, I am not the coach, the coach will choose the team for the Afcon finals.
“We just thought as Team Short Cat that the young man deserves it, his height, age and everything fits into the concept Team Short Cat.
“If he plays I say good luck, if he doesn’t then tough luck, there is always a next time,” said Mparutsa.
The legend, who was also just as short as Mukuruva during his heyday, believes height won’t be an issue if the DeMbare star is selected to start in Gabon.
“Height doesn’t matter, it is all about the keeper’s positioning and judgment, that is what matters.
“Top goalkeepers like Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas do not have notable height but he was a very good goalkeeper when he played for the European giants.
“You can be a tall keeper but if your judgment is bad and your timing is poor you can also concede on set pieces.
“However, if the young man (Mukuruva) is selected he needs to work hard, he needs to work on crosses. I have never seen him play but I have heard a lot about him,” said Mparutsa.
