Chipezeze’s career reborn: can he force his way back to the Warriors?

FOLLOWING his impressive form, which has seen him help Magesi win the Carling Black Label Cup, Zimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze says he is open to a return to the national team if he continues to perform well.

The Zimbabwean goalkeeper helped his team to a 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the final played on Saturday.
Victory for Magesi saw Chipezeze win the Man of the Match award for the fourth successive match, an unprecedented achievement in South African football.

Speaking to SuperSport after the game, Chipezeze spoke on a possible Warriors return.

“For now, I’m just focused on making the club grow. That’s the most important thing now. Personally, I would like to also go back to the national team. But the guys that are there, they are doing well. But it’s also good that I’m also now in the frame with the performances, also through hard work. At the end of the day, it’s the coach’s decision. All I can do is continue working hard, because it’s pointless for you not to perform and expect to be called for the national team.

“I’ll just keep on putting in the work. You know, they say, if you work hard, the rewards will come. So I will just continue with the consistency. We’re going to be playing Afcon only in December next year, so there is still time. I’m just now focused on making sure that I produce good performances, week in, week out, and the rest will take care of itself,” said Chipezeze.

Commenting on how coach Clinton Larsen led them to success in the Carling Knockout he said: “Through hard work. That’s what we can say. He’s a hard-working coach, and we just follow his lead. He’s got the experience in the game, and it’s one of the key things that we learn every day, especially the boys that are coming up.’”
Chipezeze said it was a great achievement to win this competition again having won it with Baroka in 2018.

“Both of them! (Cup wins) they are very important because I remember when I arrived at Baroka, we were also trying to push for silverware. We managed to do that. Our run also from the first round to the final was something else, very positive. I remember we played Golden Arrows, Sundowns, Wits and Orlando Pirates (to win the trophy). So it’s also the same now; we faced Pirates, then TS Galaxy, Richards Bay and Sundowns. In both finals, no one really gave us a chance to be honest. So it’s through hard work from the boys. Credit must go to them for working very hard, trying to make the club grow,” said Chipezeze.

He says he has matured as a player over the years.

“I’m learning every day. You know, I made mistakes along the way, it’s part of the job. That’s how we go because our position is very sensitive. I tried as much as possible to analyse my game. I’m just grateful to (Magesi owner) Mr (Solly) Makhubela, for giving me another opportunity as well. I remember when Baroka got relegated, he was the first guy that said: ‘Can you please come and help my team to grow?’ So I’m just happy with the steps that I took and the progress that the team has made, and there’s no looking back now. We will try to make sure our football club grows.’

After being released by Baroka FC in July 2022, goalkeeper Chipezeze’s career appeared to be on the decline. However, his move to Magesi FC, a lesser-known South African club in the second-tier Motsepe Foundation Championship, has proved to be a life and game-changing moment for the 34-year-old goalkeeper.

Despite critics labelling the move a downgrade, Chipezeze seized the opportunity with both hands, revitalising his career and propelling Magesi FC to unprecedented heights. The goalkeeper’s exceptional performances have drawn attention and earned him calls to return to the Zimbabwe national team.

Chipezeze’s recent display in the Carling Knockout could perhaps see him return to the Warriors setup.
-@innocentskizoe