Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in LILONGWE, Malawi
BRETT AMIDU has been the sharpest midfielder in front of goal across the Premier Soccer League over the past six seasons.
The 29-year-old has not only been stitching teams together but has also been banging goals, better than any other midfielder in the country.
Unfortunately, his goals and dozens of assists, which the Zimbabwe system hasn’t been able to account for, have mostly been in vain, just saving the clubs he has served rather than propelling him into the limelight. Amidu scored seven goals at Chicken Inn in 2019 and added eight more for the same team in 2022.
He then moved to Manica Diamonds where he hit the target six times in 2023 and got five the year after.
He concluded his stay at the Mutare miners by scoring four goals last year.
That means, he has hit the back of the net 30 times in five seasons, making him one of the best scorers from midfield in the league.
He isn’t a glory-seeking boy, but his work, though mostly muted by bad club records, are in a place to make just enough noise.
The former Dynamos man is eager to continue in this trajectory at CAPS United whom he joined last month.
He is part of the squad currently on a two-week pre-season tour in Lilongwe, Malawi.
And he stunned the crowd at Silver Stadium on Sunday when scoring a wonder goal that earned CAPS United a 1-0 win over Silver Strikers after coming on as a substitute in a friendly match.
The goal was just typical of those he mostly scores: bangers from outside the box often under pressure.
And he is hoping to flourish and get the recognition he thoroughly deserves at CAPS United this coming season.
“I value the team more than myself. As long as the team manages to get their targets done, I am happy,” he said.
“When I am working, I don’t only practice passing. I work on the full cycle of the game. Marking, set-piece taking, defending and also scoring.
“I think that helped me a lot in my years at Chicken Inn, ZPC Kariba and Manica Diamonds.”
He added: “At CAPS United I know the pressure will be heavier than where I was. The pressure will be more than what I have been used to.
“But that won’t affect me in a negative manner. I think that will actually push me to want to do more.
“CAPS United is a big team and I know the expectations will also be big.
“That means we will have to put in extra effort. The club deserves to win trophies. That’s what we are here for.”
Amidu once played against his own brother Abbas who was at Makepekepe when he was still at Dynamos.
That was reminiscent of the days when the 2004 Soccer Star of the Year Cephas Chimedza faced off against his brother Elton when he was still at Dynamos while the latter was at CAPS United.
While Amidu still cherishes those days when he used to always boss Abbas with wins for Dynamos, he said his move to CAPS United is perfect for his career.
“I cannot say that when I was playing for Dynamos I did hate CAPS United. We are professionals in every right, and while it’s a fact that I once played for Dynamos, that sentiment won’t affect me in any way even when we face them in the season,” he said.
“I am just here to help my team CAPS United achieve their set goals and targets. I am a CAPS United player, and I will give them my all.”
Amidu has reunited with former Chicken Inn teammates Obriel Chirinda and Nyasha Gurende who are now at Makepekepe as well.
