Sundaymail Editor
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HE was nurtured at the same football nursery that groomed Wolves and Zimbabwe national team player Marshall Munetsi but it has taken longer than usual for Triangle United midfielder Munashe Bamara to blossom.
The 26-year-old Bamara got the nation talking when he put a polished show, albeit in a losing cause, when Triangle United went down 0-1 against the star-studded Scottland at Rufaro Stadium, in the season’s opening match.
He is the dreadlocked pint-sized midfielder who outshone Scottland’s big name players, including reigning Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona, leaving fans at Rufaro searching for his profile.
Bamara is a product of Friendly Academy, the same football nursery that polished Munetsi.
After graduating from Friendly Academy, he spent most of his time in Beitbridge, where he played for lower league side Dulibadzimu, before joining Triangle United.
Bamara is now itching to make a name in the Premier Soccer League.
He is one of the players to look out for when Triangle United host CAPS United at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje this afternoon.
The Sugar Boys are using the arena because their traditional home, Gibbo Stadium, is yet to be homologated.
Both CAPS United and Triangle United are yet to register wins in the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Makepekepe drew 1-1 against GreenFuel in Chisumbanje in their opening match before losing 0-2 against Scottland at Rufaro last weekend.
Triangle United were also on the losing side as they were hammered 4-1 by a marauding TelOne at Bata Stadium.
“We have to pull up our socks and fight for a good result against CAPS United,” said Bamara, who was born and bred in Seke rural.
“So far, I am happy with my performance, but as a team, we need to pick ourselves up and start picking up points.”
Triangle United will also look up to the experienced duo of Thabani Kamusoko and Ali Sadiki.
Coach Luke Masomere would have wanted to host Makepekepe at Gibbo, but the veteran gaffer has to do with what is available.
“GreenFuel Arena is a neutral venue for both teams, so the better team on the day will win. We will not have home advantage, but we will try our best.
“We have to do everything we can but what I can tell you is we are ready for CAPS United,” added Masomere, who has coached Makepekepe before.
His opposite number, Lloyd Chitembwe, is also eager to pick up his first full set of points in the new season.
Makepekepe looked solid in the first half against Scottland last weekend before crumbling like a deck of cards in the second.
Some analysts felt Chitembwe should have not kept the ageing Rodwell Chinyengetere in the match for too long.
Maybe Chitembwe will today throw in the industrious trio of Tanaka Shandirwa, Kundai Benyu and Jean Mutudza from the start.
Mutudza, who joined CAPS United from FC Platinum in the off-season, is expected to carry the day for the Harare giants.
Online Reporter