Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ON a day that one of Mufakose’s finest-ever players, Khama Billiat, bounced back into the Warriors setup, another football legend from the suburb, Angirayi “Durawall” Chapo died.
News of Chapo’s death spread yesterday morning, at the same time Warriors coach Michael Nees was announcing the squad that will face South Africa and Lesotho in Zimbabwe’s last two World Cup qualifiers between October 10 and 14.
Chapo, who captained Dynamos to the league championship in 1989 and 1991 and also played for the national team, passed away at his residence in Mufakose yesterday morning.
The suburb of Mufakose has produced generations of talent including the late trio of Stanley Ndunduma, Joel Shambo, and Cheche Billiat, the Mangwiro brothers Nyaro and Taurai, Clayton Munemo, Honey Chimutimunzeve, Edzai Kasinauyo, Never Chiku (both late) Nicholas “Tico” Alufandika and Blessing “Bisto” Moyo.
Chapo also featured for the national team in the early 1990s. Veteran commentator Charles “CNN” Mabika described Chapo as one of the greatest ever right wing-backs to be produced in Zimbabwe.
“Not only did he excel at that position at Dynamos where he was captain as well, but he also excelled in that position for the Warriors in the late 80s and early 90s.
“He was always a tough customer, a hard tackler on the right flank.
“That’s how he earned his nickname the Durawall, because no one could get past him when they were playing a left winger for the opposition,” said Mabika.
“But he was a gentle giant off the pitch as well. Yes, he tackled hard, but he wasn’t a dirty player.
“He was always there leading by example.
“A lot of people will associate such a hard tackler on the pitch with somebody off the pitch who is rowdy and picks fights and so on, but the Durawall was the complete opposite. “And when he started talking about football, especially his beloved Dynamos, it was like a gospel,’’ added Mabika.
“I remember talking to him recently about the Harare Derby, and we were recounting the Harare Derbies of old.
“And how the current derbies have suddenly gone offshore.
“And he said one of the reasons was that the current players from both sides did not really understand the stature of these clubs and the meaning of these great institutions.
“He said these young players of today no longer had dreams of playing for great clubs like Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United.”
Chapo captained Dynamos from 1988 to the end of 1993, when he was replaced by Memory Mucherahowa.
Mucherahowa, the 1994 Soccer Star of the Year described Chapo as an inspirational figure.
“I knew Angirayi even before he started playing at DeMbare because we went to the same school that is Gwinyiro Primary School, but he was my senior.
“He played for the first team at primary when he was around Grade Four thereabout, that’s how good he was.
“His elder Barirayi was also good and also captained Gwinyiro,” revealed Mucherahowa.
After school, Chapo played for several amateur teams before joining Metal Box and eventually Dynamos.
“When I joined Dynamos as a junior in the early 80s, Chapo was already an established player there and he would protect us, especially his boys from Mufakose.
“You know it was difficult settling at Dynamos, where some senior players like Beefy (Henry Chari) would tease you with some jokes.
“We played together at Dynamos as a family. It’s like I have lost a brother. I am at a loss of words. It would need a book to describe Angirayi’s life.
