Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
ON the same day Khama Billiat marked his return to the Warriors fold, Mufakose was plunged into mourning following the death of another of its footballing sons, Angirayi “Durawall” Chapo.
News of Chapo’s passing broke yesterday morning, just as Warriors coach Michael Nees announced his squad for the decisive World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Lesotho, scheduled for October 10–14.
Chapo, who captained Dynamos to league titles in 1989 and 1991 and also represented the national team in the early 1990s, died at his home in Mufakose.
The suburb has long been a cradle of football talent, producing the likes of the late Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma, Joel “Jubilee” Shambo, Cheche Billiat, the Mangwiro brothers Nyaro and Taurai, Clayton Munemo, Honey Chimutimunzeve, Nicholas “Tico” Alufandika and Blessing “Bisto” Moyo.
Veteran commentator Charles “CNN” Mabika hailed Chapo as one of the finest right wing-backs Zimbabwe has produced.
“Not only did he excel in that position at Dynamos, where he was captain, he also shone for the Warriors in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He was always a tough customer, a hard tackler on the right flank. That’s how he earned the nickname ‘Durawall’ — because no one could get past him.
“But he was a gentle giant off the pitch. Yes, he tackled hard, but he wasn’t a dirty player. He led by example. Many associate hard tacklers with rowdy behaviour off the pitch, but Durawall was the complete opposite. And when he spoke about football, especially his beloved Dynamos, it was like gospel,” Mabika said.
Chapo often lamented the fading intensity of the Harare Derby. Mabika recalled: “He once told me today’s players don’t truly understand the stature of these clubs or the meaning of these institutions. He said they no longer dream of playing for Dynamos, Highlanders or CAPS United.”
Chapo captained Dynamos from 1988 until 1993, when he was succeeded by Memory Mucherahowa. Under Mucherahowa, the Glamour Boys won the 1994 league championship — the same year he was crowned Soccer Star of the Year.
Mucherahowa said his relationship with Chapo went beyond football.
“I knew Angirayi even before he started playing for DeMbare — we went to the same school, Gwinyiro Primary. He was my senior. He played for the first team at primary school when he was in Grade Four, that’s how good he was. His elder brother Barirayi was also talented and captained Gwinyiro,” Mucherahowa said.
After his early days with amateur teams and Metal Box, Chapo joined Dynamos, where he became a protective figure for younger players.
“When I joined Dynamos as a junior in the early ’80s, Chapo was already an established player. He would protect us, especially his boys from Mufakose. Settling at Dynamos was tough — some seniors like Beefy (Henry Chari) would tease you with jokes. But Chapo made us feel like family. To me, it’s like I’ve lost a brother. It would take a book to describe Angirayi’s life. Just recently, he called me — we spoke about Dynamos. Now, today, I wake up to the news that he is gone. He was my captain, but more than that, he was family,” Mucherahowa said.
Former Dynamos winger Clayton Munemo, also from Mufakose, was devastated.
“It’s a shocker — we’ve lost a brother and a true leader,” Munemo said.
GreenFuel technical director Taurai Mangwiro described Chapo as a mentor.
“He led us during our time as Dynamos juniors until we graduated into the senior team. He was a very tough defender —aggressive and straightforward off the pitch. I played alongside him before he briefly coached me at Masvingo United. He will be sadly missed.”
Supporters also paid tribute. James Pande said Chapo was among the heroes who made him fall in love with the club.
“He was a great player in his heyday. I remember back in the 1980s — it was the likes of Chapo, Eddie Katsvere, Moses Chunga who made us fall in love with this great team. Dynamos have lost a son, and my thoughts and prayers are with the Chapo family,” Pande said.
