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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
TITLE-CHASING Ngezi Platinum Stars have recalled defender Ariel Makopa to plug the gap created by the long-term injury to Carlos Mavhurume.
Makopa spent the past six months on loan at Triangle where he has been the Lowveld side’s defensive mainstay, scoring once in 14 outings.
But with Mavhurume set to play no further part this campaign, Ngezi Platinum decided to get Makopa back into the fold.
And the former Yadah man has wasted no time in showing coach Takesure Chiragwi that he could be an important piece in his league-hunting strategy.
Makopa was an unused substitute on his return to the team against Highlanders at Baobab a fortnight ago.
But he got his chance after coming on for Tapiwa Mandinyenya in what proved to be a tactical masterstroke by Chiragwi when the platinum diggers beat CAPS United 1-0 in a tightly contested battle at Bata Stadium last Saturday.
With the Green Machine pressing life out of the Ngezi Platinum Stars midfield as they searched for the elusive equaliser, Makopa was thrust to enhance the defensive shield to the team.
And he was decisive in his tackles as he neutralised the vicious Makepekepe attack.
He knows that he stands a very good chance of winning the league title with his parent club.
“I am happy to be back at my parent team. Even when I was sent to Triangle on loan, I knew the technical team wanted me to get more game time and I took that opportunity to polish up some of my flaws,” said Makopa.
“My philosophy has always been the need to flourish where one is planted. I was commanding first place at Triangle and I was playing every minute.
“I even made The Herald Team of the Week thrice. So I am happy that the technical team have recalled me to the club that I dearly love.
“The journey continues and I know I have to be at my best to play some part in driving the team to the objective.
“As a player, I know hard work is everything. I need to put in the work, stick to the coach’s instructions and be as good as I can whenever I am given a chance to play. The whole purpose is to play my role in helping the team achieve their target.
“I cannot say we can win the league title because the season is just past the halfway stage. But I believe we have a very competitive team which can do well in this marathon”.
The Mhondoro team are second on the log, with five points separating them from leaders Highlanders.
Chiragwi seems to be shuffling his cards really well with the team playing with so much flair.
He has also been rotating his squad to good effect but the youthful gaffer, who many believe is the best in the league right now, has refused to carry the pressure associated with talking about the league title.
“This is a long marathon to be honest. As a coach I am very happy with the way my players have been carrying themselves in the field of play,” he said.
“But for me, it’s all about controlling what I can. All is looking good but I cannot be talking of the league title at a time when there are still as many as 45 points to contest for.
“The rotation that I have been doing at the team allows others time to recover and re-load. That means each time a player is given a chance to play, they will be at their optimal best”.
Only goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, who has been one of the strongest pillars of this team, has played every minute at the club this season.
Online Reporter