Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi revealed that teenage midfielder Kunashe Chando just showed up and requested to train before he signed him back in January.
For someone who is only 17, Chiragwi said he was a bit perplexed by the confidence the youngster showed in approaching him, not least given Chando had no previous experience in the Premier Soccer League.
Chando did tick some boxes, not all that the gaffer expected, and Chiragwi ended up taking a gamble to sign him.
The midfielder has responded in the best possible manner, putting in some key performances for a Green Machine side fighting to win both the Munhumutapa Cup and the Chibuku Super Cup, while eyeing a top four finish in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League for what will be the first time in seven years.
“I just took a chance to slot him (Chando) in as one of the five juniors,” said Chiragwi.
“What I can say is that Chando believes in his ability, and I picked that up the moment he approached me at the training ground back in January.
“He is a young boy, but his guts are something else. There were a lot of players, some with loads of Premiership experience, but he just said can I also train with you, coach.
“I found no reason to deny him the opportunity, and just like that he showed me that he has a lot in terms of potential.
“I could clearly pick the flaws in his play, but there was no denying his intelligence and abilities.
“After a few days, I just signed him.”
Yet Chiragwi thought Chando would take long before breaking into the team.
“I thought he would take some time to finally be able to play alongside the seniors. Genuinely, he is young, very young, but his character says the opposite.
“When we went to Malawi for our pre-season in February, I gave them a run, just like everyone else, and that’s how I got a full appreciation of his heart.”
Chando has since played in 50 percent of the games this season, with his performances defying his age.
And the hunger he has shown could be traced right back to his awkward upbringing where he found it difficult to muddle through formal education.
Staying with his maternal grandmother after his father had died and his mother’s relocation to South Africa, Chando had to fight for literally everything, including putting food on the table even as a young boy.
His age mates whom he played alongside at a young age, like Simba Bhora’s Cole Tsamba and CAPS United team-mate Junior Malcom Banisi, are always quick to point that out.
Thankfully, Chando was a determined boy, and his ability to find his own way placed him at MWOS U-19 in the Northern Region Soccer League, but playing time was hard to come by.
Unsatisfied, the lanky midfielder, who can also play as a defender, moved down the ranks and joined Norton Community in Division 2. The technical team there never really saw value in him, and the player took a huge leap of faith and ended up passing an audition with, of all the teams, giants CAPS United.
“I just believe in what I can do,” said Chando, who missed the second instalment of the Harare Derby last week due to a knock.
“I was born a fighter and grew up a fighter. I wasn’t invited to MWOS U-19 or Norton Community. I was just club hunting because I thought I was ready for the challenges.
“I couldn’t quite fit in those teams, though, and I decided to try my luck at CAPS United. I am happy I managed to get the breakthrough.
“CAPS United is a good platform. I am learning a lot from the coach (Chiragwi) and my teammates. My greatest inspiration comes from my hunger to succeed.
“It’s my hope that CAPS United can crawl their way back and reclaim the Cup Kings tag.”
At just 17, Chando can be a key members of both the Under 20 and Under 23 national teams, and for a long time to come, if he holds on to the trajectory he is in right now.
