Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CRISPIN Mugalu thought his CAPS United career was over before this season had even begun.
Trapped in the Democratic Republic of Congo by war and unable to replace an expired passport, the striker watched helplessly as Zimbabwe’s Premier Soccer League season started without him.
“It was the most difficult time of my life, a moment where you just wake up trapped at home and unsure of what you will do because football is life to me,” recalled Mugalu.
When Mugalu travelled home to Lubumbashi after the 2025 season, he expected to complete the routine process of renewing his passport before returning to Zimbabwe for pre-season.
Instead, fighting in parts of DR Congo disrupted normal life and delayed government services.
His passport application stalled, leaving him stranded as CAPS United prepared for a new campaign.
While his teammates trained in Harare, Mugalu could only follow their preparations from home, wondering whether there would still be a place for him when his passport finally arrived.
“I felt stranded because when I got home, knowing that my passport was expired I started the replacement process. With the war, offices were not fully functional and everything delayed,” he said.
“The season started, the passport was still not yet out. I would follow up on my team online.
“It was heartbreaking to know that even if the passport came, I still had to wait until mid-season to be registered.”
As the weeks passed, Mugalu prepared himself for the worst.
Then his phone rang.
His first instinct was not to answer. He feared it could be the call telling him his time at CAPS United was over.
Instead, it was club president Farai Jere and coach Takesure Chiragwi. They had not called to release him, but to reassure him.
“They assured me that I was still part of CAPS. That gave me comfort,” Mugalu said.
The conversation did not solve his passport problems, but it gave him hope.
“I still remember the day I collected my passport. I knelt down right there and thanked God,” he said.
By the time he returned, CAPS United’s title challenge had stalled.
When July finally arrived, so did another chance.
He marked his first appearance of the season with a goal in CAPS United’s 3-3 draw against Hardrock, his reward after months away from the game.
“I believe it is now time for me to repay the club for handing me another shot at football,” he said.
“It is not easy to watch helplessly as your team struggles. I am putting in an extra shift to make sure that whenever I step onto the pitch, I give them the best of my services.
“I could not do pre-season with the team and I knew I would be behind in terms of fitness, so I have to work harder than everyone else.”
“Last year was a very bad season. For me to adjust and fit into CAPS’ system took very long,” he said.
“So my aim was to double my work rate during pre-season, then the passport challenge came. When I eventually made it here, I told myself I had to work harder.
“But I know I cannot do it alone. I have to fit into a system which already has other players. We have an ambition and we are speaking in one voice.
“This season I believe we have good, experienced players and if we pull in one direction, we can achieve our target.”
He remembers the pressure of arriving in Zimbabwe as a foreign player, while the club battled against relegation last season.
“It was a very challenging phase, especially for us internationals. Eyes are always on you and people forget that you are also fighting your own battles trying to fit in,” he said.
“Expectations are always high on internationals. The pressure is real. I felt it last year, but I took it as motivation to work harder.”
Only a few months ago, Mugalu was convinced he would never wear the green jersey again.
Today, every appearance for CAPS United reminds him of the passport that finally arrived and the phone call that convinced him not to give up.
