The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
MANY wrongly assume that Method “Yellow” Mwanjali is originally from Malawi yet the veteran has Tanzanian roots.
“I don’t know where the Malawian links come from but the fact is I am from Tanzania.
“Some of my relatives are in that country,” revealed the defender who is making a Caps United return after spending two years in his “homeland.”
Mwanjali joined the cash rich Simba FC in July 2016 but revealed that money was not the biggest pull factor.
“I just wanted to be close to my grandfather,” said the 34-year old former Mamelodi Sundowns captain.
“When my grandfather Edward Mwanjali fell ill he had to return to Tanzania to be near our family during his last days.
“So when the opportunity to play in Tanzania presented itself I did not hesitate to take it because I also wanted to be there for him because he sacrificed a lot for my career.
“He died peacefully and I am consoled by the fact that I played my own small part in making his last days comfortable.”
Mwanjali parted ways with Simba FC of Tanzania last month with six months remaining on his contract and is about to start a third and possibly last dance with Caps United.
“Caps United is home to me and after I made a decision of comeback the first team that came to my mind was Makepekepe. It is a club that I am identified with after Hwange and I am proud to be associated with the club,” he said.
The Caps United defender who turns 35 in two months’ time and his return has been met with mixed feelings with some arguing that he is over the hill.
But Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe is tipping Mwanjali to shine.
“Look football is a results business and as coaches we are looking at how best if we can get results and now how old the players are. I look at what a player can do to the team. The other year we were lampooned for sticking with Leonard Tsipa but the guy fired us to the title.
“I have had a look at Yellow (Mwanjali) and he seems hungry for success, he is a great addition to the team,” he said.
And with such backing Mwanjali determined to prove his critics wrong.
“I don’t mind what people are saying concerning my age, but what I know is that I am still a good player and given an opportunity I will prove it. I am glad that Caps United has given me that opportunity,” he said.
“I think it’s an advantage to have experienced players in a team as they play a critical role in giving guidance to the young players. I applaud Chitembwe for his stance of seeking to blend experience with upcoming players.”
As the former Warriors skipper marks a second home coming to Caps United in the Commander’s Defence Forces Shield tie against rivals Dembare today, he believes the match will act as a barometer to measure the team’s preparedness ahead of the 2018 season
“The most challenging part of any football season is this time (pre-season) and I think this is the right time to face rivals Dynamos as it gives us a character test ahead of the season.
“We have been working hard but this is the time to gauge how ready we are for the forthcoming season,” he said.
