adminAaron Dube in Johannesburg, South Africa
FOOTBALL is the most precious gift for the Kapowezha family — it runs within. It all started with Elasto Kapowezha’s father Ephert Lungu who once captained the Warriors and was crowned Soccer Star of the Year in 1983 while turning out for Rio Tinto.
He later passed on the baton to his son Elasto who played for Darryn T and several other clubs in South Africa among them FC AK and Wits University. Elasto was capped at Young Warriors level.
Today, Ephert’s grandson Elasto Kapowezha Jnr has a blossoming career with Bidvest Wits juniors.
Elasto Jnr last season won the Wits Junior Player of the Year award playing for the team’s Under-17 side.
He scooped the award after delivering sensational performances and scoring 11 goals.
At the moment he is playing for the team’s reserve side and Under-19s.
Elasto Jnr told Chronicle Sport: “At the moment I’ve limited game time as I’m preparing for my matric examinations. Education is important. I urge other sportsmen to further their education also. I’m enjoying my football at Wits though it’s tough. It needs perseverance and hard work then one may yield good results at the end.”
He is impressed with his form. He scored one goal in four games when they drew 3-3 with Mpumalanga Black Aces reserves a few weeks ago in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge, a league which is mainly meant for the Under-19s with a few senior players who are regaining fitness before proceeding to the senior team.
Elasto Jnr’s ambition is to play for the Zimbabwean junior teams.
He has also played for the Wits senior team.
Former Warriors defender Charles Yohane is the Wits junior coach.
Meanwhile, former Warriors goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro is excelling at South African Absa Premiership side Mpumalanga Black Aces as he is now the team’s first choice goalkeeper after impressive performances at training and league games.
Last season the big goalkeeper was on the sidelines for most of the team’s games.
The veteran is now back at the top of his game.
Murambadoro who struggled at his former team Bidvest Wits a few seasons ago has finally rediscovered his form that made him a household name in Zimbabwe.
The former Warriors goalkeeper also had a short stint in Israel and represented the country in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006.
Aces coach Clive Barker said: “I’m quite happy about the recent performance of the former Zimbabwe national team goalkeeper. He has taken over as first choice goalkeeper from Jackson Mabokgwane who was the team’s number one last season. He’s doing well even though the team is still experiencing some difficulties to get maximum points in the league, overall he’s brought stability at the back.”
Bongani Ndlovu