Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in LILONGWE, Malawi
CAPS United midfielder Tanaka “Kante” Shandirwa did not have an ideal season by his standards in the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Although he notched up some key assists and goals, they were just too few to match his profile.
His CAPS United also went on to fight for their survival in the top-flight in an otherwise underwhelming season that underscored Shandirwa’s below-par performances.
For a man who normally plays an influential midfield role in any side, the former Yadah Stars and Dynamos star acknowledges his poor season but has since declared that he will be back in full force in the upcoming 2026 term.
Makepekepe’s tactics didn’t quite match Shandirwa’s strengths as the club didn’t have an assigned workhorse to do the donkey work in midfield.
At times, Shandirwa himself would be forced to fill in that role and often ended up accumulating cautions which ultimately saw him getting suspended for several matches.
But he can now be in a position to enjoy his Number 8 role with several natural central midfielders who are able to win possession who include Richard Hachiro, Young Kunashe Chando and Malawian international Lloyd Njaliwa around him at CAPS United. “Just know that, this time around, the joker is back,” vowed Shandirwa.
“I am a Green Machine supporter all my life. It’s always good to play for the team that you support.
“I am ready to defend the badge with all my heart and effort.
“It’s unfortunate we struggled to assert ourselves as a team last year.
“But it’s part of the game. This could as well be our year, looking at how we have prepared for the season.” Shandirwa is part of the team on pre-season in Lilongwe, Malawi and he played a part in two of the three friendly games Makepekepe partook in the “Warm Heart of Africa”.
“The friendly games in particular and the camp in general have been eye-opening,” he said.
“We are definitely in the right direction. The bonding has been very positive.
“I think we should appreciate the club president Farai Jere for his vision. “You look at the players who have just joined in and those who have been with the team, there is no longer any difference.
“We are now a team, a family, a unit that is setting out to achieve.
“What we need is silverware. It’s as simple as that. This should be our year, and everyone is fully subscribing to the vision. That shows you just how much this camp in Malawi has helped us.” Shandirwa said the love which the CAPS United players received from Malawi was incredible.
He was mobbed at the close of their final friendly game against MAFCO at the Champion Stadium on Sunday after an outstanding second-half performance.
“The love is so humbling.
“Wherever we have gone, people want selfies with us. It’s even surprising to see some call you by name,’’ added Shandirwa.
