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Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter
LIFE simply has a way of throwing surprises at 19-year-old CAPS United midfielder Kingsley Mureremba.
From a young Mt Pleasant High School athlete, who bossed the athletics track, to a social football player, sums up the 19-year-old star’s previous life.
Born in Mutare, “Momo” as he is popularly known, did his secondary education at Mt Pleasant High School, where he was a trusted athlete.
It took his Physical Education teacher Mr Takundwa, to force him to join football.
At first, he (Mureremba) was sceptical as he did not just have inadequate knowledge about the game.
Convinced by his athletic abilities, Takundwa would use him as the school team’s gunman.
Much to his (Mureremba) surprise, he scored goals for fun and in no time made the cut into the team and later took part in the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) tournament.
“The coach simply told me that I am the gunman and ordered me to run with the ball as much as I could and score,” recalls Mureremba.
“I had no idea what I was doing but I was surprised at how much fans loved my play and showered me with praises.
“I was selected to the team that was to take part at the NASH tourney and then team Zimbabwe for the year 2021 . . . little did I know that it was the beginning of a long and colourful journey.”
After completing his high school studies, Mureremba closed his sporting chapter. While he was still weighing options on what to do next, one day while playing social football with his friends at Dzivaresekwa Stadium, he was spotted by coach Nesbert Saruchera who went on to ask him to join Cranborne Bullets.
It took Mureremba some time to consider the offer as he did not think that he had what it took to play professional football.
“To think that straight from social football I could overnight become an elite league player did not sound real to me, so I did not tell anyone about the offer for some time,” he said.
It took a series of serious conversations for Saruchera to finally win Mureremba’s heart.
Despite doubting himself, joining and gelling into Cranborne Bullets in 2022 felt easier for him as he quickly rose to be one of the army side’s key players. However, last year, at a time when he was hoping to make a huge impact, the team sunk into relegation.
For the budding star, failing to save the sinking team was a huge heartbreak that left him considering quitting the game. “It was tough, I asked myself why I even pursued football and felt I had made a wrong decision,” he said.
“The day that ‘our’ relegation was confirmed, I was heartbroken, and I told myself that I was done playing football.”
Just when he least expected, Castle Lager Premiership season 2023 runners-up Manica Diamonds and Harare giants CAPS United came knocking at his door.
“Coach Lloyd Chitembwe had spotted me when we played against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium last season and he started pursuing me, but I did not take it seriously,” he recalled. “Deep down CAPS had been my dream team. In a moment of confusion, I found myself at Manica and did my pre-season there but as the season was starting I just woke up and decided to come to CAPS United.
“Do not get me wrong, I have no issues with Manica. I just thought that this was the only chance I would ever get to play for CAPS so I came.”
With his precise passes, sure tackles and intelligent off-the-ball runs, the former Cranborne Bullets midfielder has risen to be Chitembwe’s preferred starter over veteran Devon Chafa.
He has started in eight games for the Green Machine and his presence with his former Cranborne Bullets teammate Eric Manokore has made it tough for opponents to find a way through the CAPS United midfield.
Online Reporter