Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BRUCE Kangwa is taking every opportunity to remind everyone who has mocked CAPS United as an “old people’s home” that in this game there is no substitute for experience.
The veteran defender was in the thick of the duels when the Green Machine put to the sword star-studded new boys Scottland, with a deserved 1-0 win at Rufaro on Sunday.
Overall, it was teamwork that won the day for CAPS United, as almost every player in the team put in total commitment.
But Makepekepe coach Ian Bakala reserved special mention for the 37-year-old Kangwa, who was a bundle of energy as usual after winning key duels and making critical interceptions like the one when he clipped goal-bound Tymon Machope before he could pull the trigger early in the game.
In fact, Kangwa has become an integral figure in the CAPS United defence in the last two seasons, at a time when his age mates begin to show signs of slowing down.
To get the best out of him, Bakala revealed the CAPS United technical team has devised a special work plan for the former Zimbabwe international to keep him in the best physical shape.
“I think he’s the oldest in the team, but we’ve got special training for him. There are some days we give him time to recover. He needs to recover because of the tempo of the games.
“But he pushes in training. You can’t tell that he’s 37 or something, but he pushes in training. Looking at his age, it only comes to me and my physical trainer to adjust the programme for him to recover very well.
“But I’m very happy he’s showing. I wish even the small boys, they have to learn from him,” said Bakala.
Kangwa joined CAPS United last season on a two-year contract after returning home from Tanzania, where he featured prominently for Azam.
Previously, he had made his name at Highlanders, who unfortunately, could not accommodate him after ending his stint in Tanzania.
CAPS United continued to move away from the bottom half of the table with the victory on Sunday. They are now 10th on the log standings, after shaking off a poor start to the season, which had seen them getting trapped in the relegation zone for a long time.
But in the last nine games with Bakala in charge, they have managed four wins, three draws and two defeats.
“Well, at the moment, we are looking for three points. We are not safe. That’s what I’ve said to our players, they know that we just have to fight.
“Looking at the table, the way it’s moving, some are dropping points. With us, I think we don’t have to lose points. We just have to fight,” said Bakala.
Makepekepe have also beefed up their squad in preparation for a gruelling second half of the season after bringing back striker Ishmael Wadi, Zambian defender Chitoshi Chinga and experienced Congolese striker Chris Mugalu.
The trio played important roles against Scottland but it was Mugalu who caught the eye when he scored on debut.
