Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIANGLE goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi is on a roll just two months after his transfer from Herentals.
The 22-year-old is right at the heart of the Lowveld side’s steady rise from the relegation zone after keeping six clean sheets in nine league games.
He was in flying form when he helped the Genesis Mangombe charges advance to the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final in a 2-0 quarter-final win over Manica Diamonds at Sakubva on Saturday.
That was Chikosi’s third clean sheet in as many Chibuku Super Cup ties this season.
And the lanky stopper, whose game-time had become increasingly limited at the Students, where Marshal Takarinda is now the Number 1 goalie, is an excited lot with the turn-around.
“Well, I am extremely happy with how things have been since I moved to play for Triangle from Herentals College. The turnaround has been massive and I am truly humbled,” said Chikosi.
“Look, Herentals College is my home. They gave me a name and a platform to showcase myself. I will always look at this team with overflowing appreciation.
“They are doing great for Zimbabwe football, to be honest. But time came when I had to move and Triangle was ready to give me a home.
“They have given me more than a home. I am happy again with regular game-time and all these clean sheets.”
Chikosi was Herentals College goalkeeper when they lost 1-0 in the Chibuku Super Cup final to Bulawayo Chiefs in 2022.
“Chibuku Super Cup is always tricky because it can be won by the most unlikely team. That is the beauty about a knockout competition.
“It still pains me that I failed to win it with Herentals when I thought we were the better team in 2022,” added Chikosi.
“But that is the nature of this tournament. The team which does well on the day whether in the first round or in the final advances.
“That is what we have been doing in this tournament, ticking the right boxes and getting the results to the board.
“I am sure Triangle know how to win this trophy since they have been there before.
“But then we need to focus on ourselves and try to surmount the last two hurdles to reach Canaan.”
Chikosi knows his team must not focus on the Chibuku Super Cup with relegation threats still lingering around Gibbo, six games before the season comes to a close.
He was at a team fighting for a top-four finish just two months ago and suddenly he has to save a team that has spent most of the term in the bottom four.
Last season, Chikosi kept 15 clean sheets as he helped Herentals to a strong fifth place finish.
He said: “The transition has been more to do with mentality than anything else. Last year we were the best team in Harare and until July I was part of the squad trying to make it in the top-four this year.
“But due to a lack of adequate game-time, I decided to go the other end. Yes, the situation isn’t very nice but it’s looking very promising.
“I know we will be able to survive relegation come the end of the season and we can have a Chibuku Super Cup title as consolation to what will be our hard-fought survival series.
“The spirit across the team and everyone in Triangle is super and we have everything to play for. You never know we might even end up finishing in the top-half of the table.”
The Budiriro-bred player, who has now put together 12 clean sheets across two teams in all competitions found it easy to settle in Triangle, where former Herentals teammate Ali Maliselo was ready to make him feel comfortable.
