Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER losing his way since leaving Ngezi Platinum three years ago, Nyasha Chintuli has rediscovered his touch at CAPS United.
The 30-year-old had unsuccessful stints at Manica Diamonds, Dynamos and in Eswatini before joining the Green Machine early this year.
But his stay at Makepekepe was again taking the same direction until the coming in of Zambian gaffer Ian Bakala.
And the former Tenax player has transformed himself into a huge cog for the Harare giants, thanks to a role shift under Bakala.
Since scoring seven goals in four opening matches of the 2021-2022 season before moving to Manica Diamonds, Chintuli had never been the same again.
Playing as a centre-forward, the correctional services officer, would toil with little success at Dynamos before yet another flat stint in Eswatini.
But he has now turned a new leaf at CAPS United after Bakala decided to move him into midfield.
Soon after Lloyd Chitembwe was replaced by Bakala two months ago, Chintuli was one of the prime targets to be shed off as he had failed to prove himself.
But a little patience from the Zambian proved vital for to the sheer improvement of the player who is now the X-Factor for the Green Machine.
“The shift in position has been very key for me, I should say.
“Interestingly, I always played as a midfielder during my junior football days at La Sakubva Academy,” said Chintuli.
“We used to call it Number 10, or False 9. But as I grew more into the game, I started meeting different coaches who saw things differently.
“That’s how I then started playing as an outright striker although I would play as a winger or an 8 at times.”
But once Bakala set foot at CAPS United, Chintuli quickly showed he would make a good midfielder and he subsequently started deploying him there.
Playing alongside Tanaka Shandirwa and Kundai Benyu, Chintuli has been phenomenal for Bakala’s side which is pushing for a top-half finish in the league.
Chintuli scored his first goal for CAPS United in their 1-0 win over Highlanders last Sunday to add to the three assists he has registered since Bakala’s arrival.
“Those stats aren’t very good for someone who plays in the position that I occupy.
“I need to do more to improve those numbers, score more, assist more and be involved, always.
“I am very happy that I managed to open my account and it came against a giant in the form of Highlanders.
“The goal will boost my confidence going forward. But that will not make me selfish. I am a creative midfielder and I will always try to engineer goals for others and where it’s possible, I have to score myself.
“But what is important is the team. We are a team and everyone knows their responsibility. So whether the goal has come from the goalkeeper, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is what we achieve as a team.”
