Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United midfielder Kundai Benyu has overcome some natural obstacles including the weather and seems to be on his way to finding his best form.
The 27-year-old made a surprise move to the Green Machine early this year having spent all his playing time in Europe including a spell with Scottish giants Celtic.
But the midfield technician said he needed a change to start enjoying his game again.
While he showed an obvious lack of touch in the initial stages of the season, his case not helped by the underwhelming performance by Makepekepe, Benyu appears to be striking the right chords now. He opened his scoring account in the Harare Derby showdown against Dynamos at Rufaro on Sunday when he fired an angled shot from just outside the box to ensure a share of the spoils between the two giants.
Benyu said it took some time for him to adjust to the demands of the local league with the state of the pitches across the country also pegging him back.
“Obviously, I have been in Europe, that’s where I grew up. It was time for a change and to try to enjoy my game again. I am trying to do that and I am happy I am improving as I am playing week in, week out,” said Benyu.
“I think, sometime, I once came here for pre-season but I have now adjusted well. When I came here, everything was okay except things like high temperatures and pitches but I knew everything would be fine once I settle and adjust.”
After registering his name on the score-sheet for the first time in this country, the man, who was a key figure of the Warriors campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in 2022, said he will be shooting more often.
“I am feeling really good that I managed to open my scoring account in the Harare Derby against Dynamos. Everyone was telling me that I should shoot more often and when I tried, I got a goal. It’s a good feeling,” he said.
“I have to try and help the team in forward play and when in the shooting range. I will be doing so very often because when I tried it, it worked.”
CAPS United fans have always shown him the love and it is something which he says drives him to want to do more.
He acknowledges that the team should throw more energy into their campaign to start climbing up the ladder.
“Everything is looking fine, when the fans see me in the streets, they stop me and just pass their greetings,” he added.
“I can feel the love. But we are duty-bound to give it our all in the field of play.
“Everything is fine, we have a good team that can compete.”
CAPS United coach Ian Bakala, who has been in charge of Makepekepe for the past two games after taking over from Lloyd Chitembwe a fortnight ago, has made significant changes in both composition and disposition of the team. And that appears to have tuned-up Benyu’s performances with the Zambian gaffer hailing the former Zimbabwe international.
“I am happy with every player at CAPS United including Benyu. Since I came here, the level and spirit with which they are training is just massive. Everyone knows they have to earn the right to play,” Bakala said.
“I am happy to be seeing such a mentality at training. I hope soon, everything will start showing. The players have been doing well. I hope to see everything going on a positive trend.”
