Josta off to South Africa for trials

FORMER Warriors, CAPS, Highlanders and FC Platinum midfield maestro Joel “Josta” Ngodzo recently sneaked out of the country to be assessed by an unnamed club, in Polokwane, South Africa, Zimpapers Sports Hub has learnt.
Josta (35)) was invited by his elder brother Johannes Ngodzo to come out of retirement and join newly promoted Zifa Central Region Division One side, Gwanda Pirates.

Interestingly, ambitious Gwanda Pirates recently appointed Johannes as their head coach.

Joel retired from professional football at the beginning of last year after his contract with CAPS United was not renewed.

“He has been training with us at Gwanda Pirates but about a week ago, he left for Polokwane after he was called by a player agent whom I cannot name. It’s unfortunate that his phone has not been going through, but I can confirm that he is training with a football club that is based in Polokwane,” said Johannes.

A creative mastermind, endowed with good ball control and vision, Josta was promoted to the Bosso senior team in 2009 and immediately shone like a beacon in his debut campaign.

In early 2011, FC Platinum came knocking for his signature, dangling a record US$60 000 fee to sign the gifted midfield maestro.

Josta was just 20 years old and already revered as the liveliest young talent in the land.

After his stay at FC Platinum, Josta re-joined Highlanders at the end of his four-year contract.

Josta did not stay longer as he moved to Harare to join CAPS United in 2015, where his career was revived, helping them to win the league championship in 2016.

His major personal acknowledgement came in 2019 when he was named Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year following an outstanding season, in which he scored 10 goals to help CAPS United finish as runners-up in the league title race.

Josta’s excellent show attracted interest from Zambian side Buildcon in 2020 for his first foreign move.

But things did not work out for Joel in neighbouring Zambia.

A season later, he resurfaced at his boyhood team Highlanders but due to wanting fitness levels, he did not stay long.

In July 2022 and after spending just six months in Bulawayo, he was released by Bosso and he went back to the capital city to join Makepekepe before he hung his boots in early 2024.

Josta had not kicked a ball since then. — @FungaiMuderere