Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in LILONGWE, Malawi
BRUCE KANGWA has revealed that his brief conversion into a striker by Dutch coach Erol Akbay at Highlanders a decade ago gave him the vitamins to value hard work and live a responsible lifestyle.
The CAPS United defender flourished as a striker after Akbay decided to gamble with him due to a lack of teeth in the Bosso strike force back in 2016.
He delivered the goals for the Bulawayo giants, but before long, he was snapped up by Tanzanian side Azam.
Kangwa chose CAPS United upon his return from a successful eight-year stay in the East African nation.
And at 37, Kangwa still has the legs to stand the competitive heat in the top-flight, with a lot of conviction too.
He is part of the touring Makepekepe side in Lilongwe, Malawi where the club is on a two-week team-building exercise ahead of the 2026 Premier Soccer League season that kicks off on March 6.
Kangwa showed he can still fly even at his age when he put together an outstanding show in the Green Machine’s 1-0 win over Silver Strikers in a friendly tie played at the Silver Stadium last Sunday.
The teams clash again at the same venue this afternoon.
“I think that period when coach Akbay converted me into a striker helped me to start seeing life differently,” said Kangwa.
“I had to adjust fast, and the moment I saw I could adjust I started thinking about retaining maximum concentration levels.
“That meant focus had to be around both on and off the field of play.
“Let me thank the Almighty God for everything that he has done for me and my family.
“You need to know what you want in football. To know what you are working for.
“So, the lifestyle that you have inside the pitch and outside the pitch has to be different.
“You know, it’s your lifestyle sometimes, and you’re not going to get any support.
“But for me, my lifestyle is the one that is keeping me going.
“And another thing, work hard. And every time when it’s training, you have to push.
“That’s how it is. It will keep you going each and every day.
“You know, as a footballer, you should know where you are coming from. I take things seriously. So when it comes to work, I put work first, and then the rest I will bring after.
“Whatever the coach is giving me, whatever my colleagues or my teammates are giving me, I take all that knowing that they are pushing me in a positive manner.
“I try to improve from the person I was yesterday. That keeps me going and fit.”
Kangwa has been in a league that is growing at a faster pace, and he knows just how important team bonding is going into a season where a club is looking to do well.
“This is one of the most effective ways of attaining team spirit. The camp will help us because you know, when you’re building a house the foundation will have to be strong.
“This camp is foundational, and it will firm us up going into the 2026 Premiership season.
“This is where we can help each other as players. This is where we can pick each other’s strengths and weaknesses. That helps in decision-making in and outside the football pitch just to know where a colleague’s strengths and weaknesses lie.
“This is a huge move made by the club, and we believe it will help us in a big manner as we go into the season.”
CAPS United look very much organised this time around after acquiring high-profile players in the market.
They kick-start their Premiership season with a date against new boys Agama.
Peter Tanyanyiwa