Andrew
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
ALTHOUGH he does not take alcoholic beverages, CAPS United forward William Manondo takes no offence being called “Mr Chibuku”.
The 30-year-old striker earned the moniker after his goal-scoring prowess in the country’s premier knock-out football tournament, the Chibuku Super Cup, where he has bagged the Golden Boot award twice since the return of the tournament in 2014.
Not only does he boast of the Golden Boot awards, Manondo’s 15 goals make him the all-time top scorer of the tournament.
With the Chibuku Super Cup now done and dusted, he is hoping to transform his form into the Castle Lager Premiership race.
“Nda bho ne masese, ndakudawo ma clear (I am now ok with opaque beer, I now want to graduate to the clear ones),” he said jokingly.
The former Harare City forward has reason to believe after leading the CAPS United charge so far this season.
Last weekend, he grabbed a brace when he inspired CAPS United to a 3-2 win over Herentals.
He has no qualms being linked with Chibuku beer.
“I was joking because people refer to me as someone who is more into Chibuku, so now I respond to them saying I am now ok with Chibuku, it’s time that I taste Castle.
“Interestingly, I don’t drink, so my responses are nothing personal, but on a serious note, I have my personal targets this season as striker, and winning the Golden Boot award is one of them.”
With an 88 percent scoring rate in the current campaign, having scored eight goals in nine games, Manondo, who also played for Kiglon and FC Platinum, describes the 2021/2022 season as his best start to a term.
“I think this has been my best start to the season since I made my debut in the Premiership with Kiglon.”
He believes that demands which come with playing for a club like CAPS United have contributed to his good start.
“I worked with coach Lloyd Chitembwe at Harare City and can safely say I know his likes and dislikes when I am on the pitch …
“It’s not easy to play for big teams like CAPS United, Dynamos and Highlanders. They need results and performance, so, individually, you have to work hard.
“Moreover, this is a big team with the best players and you can expect nothing less than good results, and as a striker you have to do your job,” he said.
“The move to CAPS United positively changed me.
“Chitembwe is one of the best coaches in the country and since I started working with him, I am becoming a better player by each passing day.
“He is one coach who thrives on seeing his players reaching their potential, and he has told me to keep my focus on the game to achieve big things.”
After seeing Manondo help CAPS United to their fourth straight unbeaten match, Chitembwe was full of praise for the 30-year-old forward.
“I am happy for him and this time around he is showing his quality.
“I am happy for him that he is scoring in each and every single game, and getting goals from incredible angles and distance makes him a complete striker.
“But I just want him to keep focused, to keep concentrating on the job that is at hand because as long as he is in the game, a lot is expected of him,” said Chitembwe.
Turning to today’s match against Tenax at Sakubva Stadium, a venue where Chitembwe’s men suffered a humiliating 6-2 defeat to Manica Diamonds, the veteran coach said they have since consigned the defeat to history.
“Coaches are not supporters; we don’t read into what happened in the past. This is Tenax that we are playing against, they are not Manica Diamonds, for starters.
“We can’t be under any pressure just because we are playing at Sakubva. That won’t be a factor for us.
“Tenax is a different team, they have their own philosophy, which is most probably different from that of Manica Diamonds.
“Football is a game in which the better team, a team which has prepared well mentally, physically and psychologically, wins.
“It is not a game in which a team believes what happened in the past will affect them, no!”
Online Reporter