Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United midfielder Bret Amidu said he is slowly finding himself again after a hectic off-season in which he had to deal with the trauma of seeing his brother and former footballer Abbas getting a lengthy jail term over contraband.
Bret was away in Malawi for a two-week pre-season tour with the Green Machine when Abbas received the sentence along with fellow ex-soccer star Reuben Mhlanga.
The former Dynamos, Chicken Inn and Manica Diamonds player didn’t really show any emotions when the news filtered in across the Makepekepe camp in the Malawian capital.
He kept a brave face and continued with the business like everyone else until the Green Machine came back home.
But it’s apparent he had just joined a club his brother dearly loved and he was drawing a lot of inspiration from what Abbas did for CAPS United when he helped them win the league title in 2016 and reached the CAF Champions League group stages the following year.
Bret is one of the most gifted players in the league right now yet he started the season rather averagely, failing to really establish himself at the log leaders. Amidu is a scoring midfielder but he struggled even to provide assists which has been one of his strengths all-round over the years.
But he has now turned over the corner, becoming the heartbeat of a Makepekepe side showing composure and grit in their battle to win the championship for the first time in a decade.
“I have had to work on a lot of things over the last weeks. I thank my coaches led by Takesure Chiragwi for helping me in a lot of ways,” said Amidu.
“There have been times when chips were just down. You know, there are times like that. But my coaches and teammates kept on pushing me.
“I am happy I am now back to my best. I have provided four assists in the last five, six games.
“I am yet to score but I am not that desperate to get the ball in the back of the net, as long as I can make others score, that is what makes me happy.”
Amidu is expected to play a huge role when CAPS United face Scottland in Match Day 15 at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The giant facility has been unavailable for close to three years as it was undergoing a massive facelift and it is two of the best clubs in the top-flight right now, Scottland and CAPS United set to re-open it in a highly-anticipated showdown.
Makepekepe will slide behind the reigning champions if they lose the match tomorrow as they will be behind the Mabvuku side on goal difference.
Currently, the Green Machine, on 28 points, lead Scottland by three points.
While the Harare giants have proven that they mean business this season, Scottland have the quality to stand their own and be able to defend the title they won on their debut last year.
And it is players with the quality of Amidu who is expected to give Makepekepe the balance they will need to get something out of tomorrow’s game.
“I don’t think it will be about individuals,” added Amidu.
“We have quality in our squad to match them one on one.
“I believe we don’t just have the quality, but we possess some extras as well because we have individuals who are ready to sacrifice for the team, lots of them. I am not even surprised that we are at the top at this point of the season.
“The game against Scottland is just like any other game. The league is competitive and every team is putting in the work.
“Every game is different and provides its fair share of challenges. We have prepared enough for the Scottland game. I believe we can pull up a good performance and be able to get the points in the bag.”
Amidu acknowledged that Makepekepe have dominated their opponents over recent weeks but they have failed to punish them.
However he believes the squad can rectify those flaws by getting over Scottland.
