admin
Tadious Manyepo in BLANTYRE, Malawi
FORMER CAPS United goalkeeper Tsungi Mudzamiri was just graduating from the club academy when Zambian import Agnus Elemu had already established himself at the Harare giants in 2004.
With the mercurial coach Charles Mhlauri bearing the torch, the Green Machine were unrivalled on the field of play, losing only a single game in 30 matches on their way to the first title in eight years.
They would retain the championship in 2005, though they had been shaken, significantly by the departure of five key players, who sneaked away when the team had toured the United Kingdom.
Elemu and Mudzamiri were still around and both have the two gold medals each to show for their commitment and loyalty.
Both left Makepekepe a long time ago and they have since retired from playing the game. But they couldn’t hide their joy when their paths crossed in Blantyre, Malawi during the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers.
Mudzamiri is the Herentals Queens Goalkeepers’ coach while Elemu leads Namibia side FC Ongos.
Both were in the same group and Mudzamiri’s girls prevailed 3-1 in the first game of the tournament at Mpira Stadium last week. With Herentals Queens winning their second match 1-0 against Zambian giants Green Buffaloes, FC Ongos lost 3-0 to the University of Western Cape to virtually eliminate themselves from the semi-final equation with a single pool match to play.
But Elemu would punish his compatriots in their last match when beating Green Buffaloes, the pre-tournament favourites 2-1, and hand the Zimbabweans progression path even if they would themselves lose their last tie to UWC.
Elemu was full of praise for Mudzamiri and even tipped Herentals Queens, who face Gaborone United in the semi-final this afternoon, to go all the way.
“Football is a beautiful game. It never crossed my mind that one day I would meet Tsungi Mudzamiri with both of us as coaches,” said Elemu.
“I still remember Tsungi was a young and promising boy when he was promoted to the senior team back in 2004.
“He was willing to learn from his seniors who include Energy Murambadoro, Witness Mnkhuli, and later on Evans Chewe.
“The team was full of talent and there were players like Raymond Undi, Lloyd Chitembwe, Laughter Chilembe, Ian Bakala, Asani Matora, Cephas Chimedza, and a host of others.
“It was a well-drilled team but as young as he was, Mudzamiri was still good enough to play in some of the games.
“I am not surprised he has now grown to become a coach for a respected female team. His goalkeeping skills are evident in the Herentals Queens ‘keeper (Lindiwe Magwede) who was pivotal when they beat us last week.
“I have no doubt Herentals Queens will win this cup because they are playing the best football in this tournament. If that happens, I will be happy for Mudzamiri.”
Mudzamiri said Elemu has always been “a cool guy who never looks down upon anyone”.
“He (Elemu) was a key figure in our team and somehow he had a soft spot for me.
“He could always stick around where we were training as goalkeepers and always told me to push hard . . . he saw potential in me,” said Mudzamiri.
“It was a great joy meeting him here and having his team also play against my team. Football is indeed a nice game.
“He has wished us well and we are hoping to do well in our semi-final match against Gaborone United on Thursday (today),” Mudzamiri said.
Online Reporter