Ex-DeMbare trio driving Jumbo charge

Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub

FORMER Dynamos trio of Peace Makaha, Cleopas Kapupurika and King Nasama are beginning to look like a proper force again, this time turning out for Northern Region Soccer League side Jumbo Giants.

The Mazowe outfit have started life in Division One like a team that doesn’t want to stay there. Two games, two wins. And the old DeMbare core is right at the centre of it.

Throw in winger Walter Vuwa, on a half-season loan from Chicken Inn, and suddenly Jumbo have that bit of bite going forward.

They edged CP Chemicals 3-2 at Gwanzura on Saturday in a game that had everything. Vuwa, Russell Zambo and Russell Towindo were on target for Jumbo, while Thomas Mambure grabbed a brace for the hosts.

For Nasama, it already feels like something he has seen before.

“Yes Jumbo Giants just got promoted from Division 2 last year but that doesn’t make the team inferior in any way.

“There is a lot in terms of experience in our team. For me and Kapupurika as well as Makaha, it’s like reliving our days at Dynamos.

“We don’t fear anyone in the league. But football is all about momentum and persistence.

“It’s good that we have won our opening two games including the first game when Cedric Maruta scored inside just 30 seconds.

“But we need to keep our eyes on the ball. Focus is all what matters at this juncture.”

Nasama wasn’t even supposed to be here. He had called time on his career before Jumbo owner Kaniki Romuliya pulled him back.

Romuliya says it was never going to be easy, but he knew what he was getting.

“We had to put together this team in a short period of time after we earned promotion from Division 2.

“Yes, Nasama had already walked away from the game but he was someone who I was working with.

“I am the one who convinced him to come back and here he is. He is giving all the pluses in the pitch.”

Makaha, now wearing the armband, is not getting carried away just yet.

“I think there are a lot of good teams in the league right now,” he said.

“You look at Black Rhinos, Harare City, Highrange and FC Oden, those are good teams. But I think we are also up there and we can raise our hands as well.

“I think we should stay grounded and keep our feet on the ground.”

Kapupurika knows this road. He was part of the GreenFuel side that came up from the Eastern Region under Lloyd Mutasa in 2023, and that experience could come in handy when the pressure starts to build.

Elsewhere, Black Rhinos coach Weddington Chinyan’anya cut a frustrated figure after his side were held to a goalless draw by Highrange at Commando Barracks on Good Friday.

Chauya Chipembere had opened the season with a 2-0 win over Cranborne Bullets, but this time they ran into a stubborn Highrange side marshalled by captain Tinotenda Magore.

“It was a good game but we wasted the opportunities that came our way,” said Chinyan’anya.

“Highrange had a strategy that we failed to counter. But these are early days and we take it from here.”

Highrange coach Shepherd Nkata, with his usual calm, was the happier man after the final whistle.

Harare City kept their perfect start going with a 1-0 win over Black Mambas at Mkushi, while Chegutu Pirates beat PAM 2-1 at Muriel Mine.

NRSL Results

Golden Eagles 1-2 Marere

PAM 1-2 Chegutu Pirates

Ngezi U19 3-3 MWOS U19

G&T Mining 3-1 Banket United

Rangers 0-0 Shamva Mine

CP Chemicals 2-3 Jumbo Giants

Black Mambas 0-1 Harare City