Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GRAY KUFANDADA has always shown remarkable potential in the Premier Soccer League but it is in the Northern Region Soccer League where he has re-shaped and flourished.
Kufandada has paid glowing tribute to the NRSL for turning him into a better player.
In his stints with the Premiership, Kufandada showed a lot of promise.
But that is the furthest he has gone in three separate dances with the big boys in the elite league.
He has had stints with Harare City, Arenel Movers and Herentals College all of which were full of promise that was, however, never fulfilled.
The 28-year-old is back in the top-flight with newly promoted Agama and on the back of a distinct season with them in the Northern Region Soccer League in which he won both the Golden Boot with 17 goals and bagged the Soccer Star of the Year accolade.
The individual crowns have given him a spring in his step as he returns into the thick of the Premiership action with the Mt Darwin side.
“I think this time around I am more prepared than before. I have played in the top-flight before with Harare City, Arenel Movers and Herentals College,” Kufandada said.
“I did put in the work but you know sometimes things just don’t work out. I never considered quitting because I believe one of those days everything will fall into place.
“I think this time around, I will do the perfect thing, scoring the goals which have eluded me at this level in three attempts.
“It’s not like I haven’t been scoring goals in the league, no. I was one of the top scorers for all the teams I have played for in the top-flight but the goals haven’t been raining the way I want them to.
“That is what I want to see this time around when I step into the field with Agama.”
Kufandada said close competition in the NRSL has shaped him into the player he had always wished to become.
“I have played football in every first division region but competition in the NRSL is at another level.
“The teams there are competitive. The players are always fighting for every ball. The organisation and leadership you know make it very close in terms of competition. I mean, you sweat it out every minute in the field for you to win. There are no easy games in the NRSL.
“This experience, I think, will shape me up and prepare me for the PSL challenge. The NRSL is full of former PSL stars and I am confident I can now go out there and be able to score goals.”
Kufandada, who got a massive US$24 000 and a housing stand in Mt Darwin for winning the Soccer Star of the Year accolade in the NRSL will be one of the star players at Agama and their passionate fans will be looking to him to lead the line once the PSL rolls into life on March 6.
With the likes of Tinashe Balakasi in the fold at a team that is coached by Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni, Agama can fancy their chances of being competitive in a league that looks more organised than ever before with clubs throwing more money to attain competitiveness.
