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Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter —
MUTARE-BORN Liberty Chakoroma played a true captain’s role when he led Ngezi Platinum to their first ever top-flight league silverware in their Castle Lager Premiership debut season at the Baobab Stadium in Ngezi last Saturday.
Ngezi Platinum got the better of fellow platinum miners, FC Platinum 3-1 to lift the 2016 Chibuku Super Cup, with Chakoroma scoring twice in that match.
Man-of-the-match, Chakoroma scored two long-range goals in each half, opening and closing the scoring in the 10th and 87th minute respectively.
It was his third and fourth goals of the tournament to top the competition’s scoring charts and duly walked away with the tournament’s Golden Boot award. Naturally, the youngster was elated with his latest achievement.
“It is a wonderful feeling to be able to win this trophy as a captain. It was something I have also wanted as a player and I am happy it came at the right time. I hope to continue working hard and win more trophies with Ngwezi Platinum Stars,” said Chakoroma in a telephone interview early this week.
In last Saturday’s Chibuku Cup final, Kelvin Bulaji scored the second goal for the winners in the 26th minute, but Gerald Takwara appeared to give his side a lifeline with a thunderous effort in the 40th minute.
But the Ngezi Platinum Stars’ captain, who was born and raised in the dusty streets of Sakubva, had the final say as he led by example with a deflected effort to ensure his charges hoisted the floating trophy that comes with $75 000 and a ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup competition next season.
Chakoroma started his football career at Timothy ‘Sicho’ Masachi’s La Sakubva at a tender age of eight. He continued with his career and was part of Manicaland team in the National Youth Games as well as other inter-provincial competitions.
It was his fine form which took him to the National Under-20 and latter Under-23 teams. Chakoroma made his maiden appearance in the national team which played against Comoros in the CHAN Games.
The man who has nurtured his talents at an early age, Masachi once told this newspaper that the sky is the limit for the 22-year-old Sakubva star.
“The sky is the limit for Liba (Chakoroma).
“He will go far because he has almost everything a coach may want in a defender. He has the height and discipline, but he has to work hard to improve on his physical fitness,” said Masachi.
Online Reporter