Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WASHINGTON ARUBI literally threw himself into the welcoming hands of CAPS United fans who were chanting his name following his historic bow for the Green Machine at Chahwanda Stadium last Sunday.
Panicky marshals tried but failed to stop him from scaling the perimeter fence straight into the band of Makepekepe faithful who believe their team’s long-standing goalkeeping problems have found a solution in the Warriors’ shot-stopper.
The 41-year-old made a surprise move to CAPS United from South African Premiership side Marumo Gallants, who were in the middle of negotiations with him to renew his stay.
And four days later, the Mutare-born player was making history by becoming the first goalkeeper to feature for all Zimbabwe’s traditional big three clubs; Highlanders, Dynamos, and CAPS United.
Before moving down south, Arubi had made his name at Highlanders and eventually played for the Glamour Boys, where he was voted the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Star of the Year in 2011.
And on his CAPS United debut, Arubi conceded three goals in a thriller against Hardrock that ended in a 3-3 draw, but that mattered little for the passionate Green Machine fans, most of whom had travelled all the way from Harare.
It mattered little for Arubi himself as well on a day he was completing a full circle, playing his first match in Zimbabwe after a 13-year absence in a stadium located right in the town where the goalkeeper first tasted Premiership football with Lancashire Steel in the early 2000s.
There was even more to the day that Arubi himself might just have missed.
The man who nearly became the first goalkeeper to complete the feat that Arubi clocked on Sunday, Munyaradzi Diya, who is his age-mate, was directing proceedings in the opposite dugout as the Hardrock Goalkeepers’ coach.
Diya starred for both Highlanders, where he even made it on the Soccer Stars calendar, and Dynamos before signing with CAPS United some eight years ago.
However, despite officially inking a deal with Makepekepe, Diya never played an official match for the giants, who were still under Lloyd Chitembwe.
And when Arubi made his historical milestone, the CAPS United fans made it even more special to his excitement.
“The welcome is mind-blowing,” Arubi shouted.
“This is massive from CAPS United fans. I can see, feel, and even touch the love.
“I am really humbled to have made history by becoming the first goalkeeper to play for all the big three.
“It’s something that I don’t take for granted. It’s so special.
“It’s good that I made my CAPS United debut in a thrilling encounter in which both teams played with a lot of swag and purpose.
“I am happy to be back home, and to witness an environment like this is special, to be honest. I really love this atmosphere.”
Arubi was equally excited to play in Kwekwe again.
“Look, Kwekwe is my home. Remember, Lancashire Steel took me from Mutare and gave me a football scholarship here in Kwekwe,” he said.
“Essentially, that makes Kwekwe my home. I then made my Premiership debut here in Kwekwe. The town holds a special place in my heart.
“But the demise of Kwekwe looked to have all but evaporated the hopes of Kwekwe folks to witness Premiership football again.
“And for me to come back from South Africa and make my debut for CAPS United in such a magnificent stadium is something that will never easily escape my mind in the future.
“My return to my town has really been made so special.”
Outside sentiment, Arubi said his primary objective was to see CAPS United competing at the very top because they have everything a team needs in a competitive league like this.
He added: “I haven’t been playing in Zimbabwe for almost a decade-and-a-half.
“But the competition level is now up there. Almost every team has foreign players who are highly competitive.
“The quality in the league is top class. But as CAPS United, I think we are able to compete at the very top.
“I have seen enough quality in our changing room. The depth is there as well, and the attitude is quite encouraging.
“I see Makepekepe doing wonders as we go. I am here to play my part and be of use to the team. At the end of the day, it’s about helping the team achieve set goals. And with the kind of attitude I am seeing in the boys, I know the club will be happy somehow.”
Coach Takesure Chiragwi, who was repeatedly frustrated with elementary blunders from the sacked goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, can now sleep tight at night knowing that the problem area is now secure and not just that.
He said, “I think players like Arubi can add a lot of value to the team because we know his experience will be handy as we go.
“But I would also like to say that we are seeing positivity upfront, where we are now getting a lot of goals.
“Goals are coming, and we can only hope for the best.”
