Online Reporter
Taddy Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIANGLE ‘keeper Takudzwa Chikosi’s draft into the Warriors has helped him deal with the pain of losing the Chibuku Super Cup final.
It’s his first call to the national team.
ZIFA confirmed that Chikosi and striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya have joined camp.
Their arrival boosts the technical team’s choices as attention turns to tactical polishing, physical conditioning and discipline. For Chikosi, the call-up arrives at a moment when his club’s journey has mixed steady progress with painful setbacks.
Chikosi keeps finding himself at the wrong end of football’s sharp edges.
The Triangle ‘keeper has put together one of the most consistent three-year stretches in the PSL yet the biggest prizes keep slipping from his grasp.
He left Herentals College midway through the season after keeping six clean sheets for the Students and moved to the Lowveld.
He arrived at a Triangle side which were battling to avoid the drop.
He adapted with ease, took charge of the area and pushed his season’s tally to 16 shutouts with 10 at his new club.
He didn’t concede a single goal in the Chibuku Super Cup until the final. That changed last Saturday at Gibbo where Triangle went down 1-0 to Dynamos.
His numbers matched Simba Bhora keeper William Thole who enjoyed the cover of Webster Tafa, Isheanesu Mauchi, Blessing Moyo, Carlos Mavhurume and later Boid Mutukure.
Thole also had difficult moments and was part of several costly errors as Simba slipped out of contention before Scottland closed out the title and Simba finished third.
Even so, Thole earned a place on the 2025 Soccer Stars of the Year calendar ahead of Chikosi and Nelson Chadya of Scottland who kept 13 clean sheets in 21 matches.
Depending on how the votes fall, Thole could be named Goalkeeper of the Year.
For Chikosi, it feels like another near miss in a growing list.
Two years ago Chadya beat him by one clean sheet.
Last season Chicken Inn’s Donovan Bernard finished three ahead.
Those shortfalls stung, but none match the pain of falling short in the Chibuku Super Cup twice in four years.
Chikosi first stepped into the final for Herentals in 2022.
They had just eliminated defending champions FC Platinum and were tipped to lift the trophy and seal a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.
They dominated Bulawayo Chiefs across a wet afternoon at Barbourfields, only to lose to a single lapse that handed Arthur Musiyiwa the winner.
Saturday brought another heavy blow.
Triangle created openings and wasted them.
One mistake left Enasio Perezo Jnr free to lift the ball over Chikosi for the only goal.
“I should admit that the Chibuku Super Cup might as well be a portion meant to go the other way round when I am involved,” said Chikosi.
“I am deeply disappointed after failing to grab gold in the Chibuku Super Cup final against Dynamos.
“I was hoping to finally win the trophy after that 2022 heartbreak when we lost 1-0 to Bulawayo.
“But it wasn’t to be, I will try again next time and hopefully get to win it.”
The 23 year old could soon be on the move.
Several teams have presented strong offers and his management team are weighing up the options before deciding his next destination.
