Kangwa still has the dynamo

Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Writer

BRUCE Kangwa’s return to domestic topflight football was met with mixed feelings. In quarters within the football community, he was deemed as excess baggage but he has proved them wrong.

After a seven-year stint at Tanzania’s Azam FC, the 33-year-old utility player came and settled at Caps United where he seems to have found a home. Before he put pen to paper with the Green Machine, Kangwa was said to be headed to his hometown club, Highlanders.

Negotiators at Caps United won the player’s heart and off he went to Harare. As the Castle Lager Premiership started in March, Kangwa’s decision to play again caught the limelight. He counts as one of the many players who have had a long run in the local game and are thought to have run off steam.

However, a close watch of Kangwa’s play on the field of play reveals the opposite. He still has the “steam” and possesses that cultured left foot. Known for being a marvel on the wings, Kangwa has brought the much-needed pace and maturity at Caps United and the coaches are loving it.

The player says he still has a lot of time in the game and is not considering hanging the boots for now. He speaks with passion that there is a lot that he needs to contribute as a player. He spoke of his unending passion for football and how he would want to end his career.

Kangwa confidently said he still has the energy in an interview this week. “I’m happy that at CAPS United I have found a home. It is always good to get a starting place in a team that has several experienced players and I think I still have the energy to play for the next couple of seasons,” said Kangwa.

The Bulawayo-born and bred player expressed hearty gratitude to the CAPS United leadership and the coaches for believing in him, saying he feels indebted for performing above their expectations.

“Every match is a new one and as a senior player I have to put my all. It is humbling to be chosen and trusted to play in a big club such as CAPS United. Working together with my teammates, we will make history and bring back the glory days at Makepekepe.

“I signed with the team knowing well that I will contribute immensely. The coaches at the club and the club president Farai Jere continue to show confidence in me which is good. I pledge to repay that by doing well for Caps United.”

Under coach Lloyd Chitembwe, Kangwa hopes to be an inspiration to young footballers.
“I have a lot of respect for the coach whom I would say was one of the people who inspired me when I was growing up and playing football in the dusty grounds of Tshabalala.

I want to be that player who pushes other players to do well. The youngsters must say I was their inspiration,” he said. Kangwa talks of tough life in the streets and advises budding footballers to stay off drugs and alcohol.

“For one to make it in football, they need to be disciplined. Nothing beats the power of abstaining from alcohol and those intoxicating substances. If one is under peer pressure to use drugs, they should find an ear to talk to.

“Young players have to choose their friends wisely and make sure they have elders whom they look up to.” Having played for Railstars and Highlanders before his sojourn to Azam, Kangwa is one player who commands respect.

At Bosso the fans still have memories of the great contribution to Bosso. He was in the class of players identified and groomed by Madinda Ndlovu at the Bulawayo giants’ camp in 2009. From there Kangwa was to transform himself to an exciting player under the tutelage of coach Kelvin Kaindu who arrived in 2012.

As he reflects at his stay in Tanzania, Kangwa said he has no regrets and would wish that other players in the local Premiership find opportunities there. – @NkosieLegend.