Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
VETERAN goalkeeper Washington Arubi has brought a wealth of South African experience to CAPS United as the Harare giants seek to rediscover their reputation as Zimbabwe’s “Cup Kings”.
The 40-year-old Warriors goalkeeper returned home in July after spending 14 years in the South African Premiership, where he established himself as a specialist in knock-out football.
Arubi’s spell across the Limpopo was decorated with several memorable cup runs. He won the country’s biggest knock-out competition — the Nedbank Cup with Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhadzila in 2021 and returned to the final the following year.
He also helped Marumo Gallants reach the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2022, a historic achievement for the club, before featuring in another major cup final with Gallants three years later.
Gallants lost 1-0 to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knock-out Cup final, but Arubi’s performances further enhanced his reputation as a goalkeeper capable of producing his best football when the stakes are at their highest.
South African media regularly highlighted his ability to save crucial penalties, particularly in knock-out competitions.
Now back in Harare with CAPS United, Arubi, who also previously played for other local giants — Dynamos and Highlanders — is hoping to put that experience to good use as the Green Machine attempts to end a prolonged wait for major cup success.
CAPS United, who at the peak of their powers earned the famous moniker “Cup Kings,” were dominant in knock-out competitions during the 1980s and 1990s.
They have struggled to reproduce those exploits in recent years, with their best success coming in 2004 when Charles Mhlauri guided them to a cup double — the ZIFA Unity Cup and Buddie Challenge Cup — to add to the league championship they won in the same year.
Although they won the league championship in 2016, major cup success has remained elusive.
They have failed to win the Chibuku Super Cup since the competition was introduced in 2014.
However, Arubi believes the current squad has the quality and determination to change that narrative.
Thanks to club president Farai Jere’s huge investment ahead of this season, Makepekepe have assembled a decent squad with dependable players who include Tanaka Shandirwa, Richard Hachiro, Brett Amidu, Talent Chamboko, Nyasha Gurende, and Alleny Mukombedzi.
Foreign players Crispin Mugalu, Chawananga Kaonga, Lloyd Njaliwa and Uchizi Vunga have also added value at CAPS United.
“The last time CAPS United won a Cup was back in 2016 when they lifted the league championship, but the club has not done well in cup competitions,” Arubi told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“But, with the group of players we have, we are looking forward to restoring CAPS United as the Cup Kings.”
The vastly experienced goalkeeper will have an immediate opportunity to help deliver on that ambition when CAPS United host Simba Bhora in a Chibuku Super Cup first-round clash at Rufaro on Saturday afternoon.
Simba Bhora, league winners in 2024, are like CAPS United, also still searching for their maiden Chibuku Super Cup crown, setting the stage for a fiercely contested encounter.
Arubi knows there will be little room for error.
“It’s not going to be easy but we really have to fight for the badge,” he said.
The veteran goalkeeper is also drawing on his extensive experience of knock-out football, where one mistake can end a team’s hopes and every match carries the pressure of a final.
“Playing Cup games is a big motivation because you play four or five games and you are in the final,” Arubi said.
“What it means is that you treat each and every game as a final.”
CAPS United have already demonstrated their attacking potential in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, demolishing Scottland Academy 6-0 in the round of 32 last weekend to book their place in the last 16.
But focus now is on the Chibuku Super Cup, with the Green Machine hoping to take another step towards ending their cup drought.
“We have to put everything to get a win against Simba Bhora so that we proceed to the next round,” Arubi said.
“We have a very big chance, but we just have to take each game as it comes.”
For a club whose history is associated with cup glory, Arubi’s arrival could prove significant.
His experience of high-pressure knockout matches, penalty shoot-outs and cup finals could provide CAPS United with the composure they need as they attempt to restore their once-formidable reputation.
