Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub

TAKESURE CHIRAGWI has seen it all as a CAPS United player.

The 43-year-old gaffer was part of the all-conquering Green Machine side that won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005.

He was also part of the team that endured some challenges, including fighting Premier Soccer League relegation in 2008.

And after years of hopping from one team to the other, first as a player and then as a coach for Shabanie Mine, the now defunct Hartley and lately Ngezi Platinum Stars whom he led to the Premiership title in 2023, Chiragwi has made the full circle back at Makepekepe as their mentor.

He is an excited man, knowing that he has a chance to replicate what the most illustrious club legend, Lloyd Chitembwe has done.

Chitembwe who was, until July last year, the CAPS United coach is the only Makepekepe son to have won the league honours both as a player and coach at the club.

The former Zimbabwe midfielder helped the Green Machine deliver the championship titles in 1996, 2004 and 2005 as a player before guiding them to the same accolade in 2016.

That’s a bar too high to catch, but Chiragwi can as well fancy his own chances of writing the same piece of history.

“Lloyd Chitembwe is my mentor, and I have always learnt a lot from him,” Chiragwi said.

“His status as a CAPS United legend, the only one to have won the league both as a player and a coach, is next level.

“He is my brother and my mentor. I can only wish to do what he did but I guess it’s a bit difficult.”

Chiragwi moved to CAPS United from Ngezi Platinum Stars in December and he started the grind at the Makepekepe ground yesterday when they kick-started their pre-season preparations.

“I feel honoured to be honest and I would want to appreciate the CAPS United leadership, especially the president (Farai Jere) himself. There were good times when I was still a player, also to win the league and it’s also important, you know, as a coach to have that opportunity again to come and coach the same team that I had achievements with as a player.

“We’re just looking forward to this coming season to do well and try to make sure we work very hard. This is not going to be easy, but what is important is just to make sure we have taken the baton from all the previous coaches, players and administrators who have done so well for the club and it’s just to add on what is there already and make sure we improve on certain things that can also take the CAPS United brand where it belongs.

“That’s what we will be focusing more on to make sure we can do better,” added Chiragwi.

With so much expected from him, especially given the ideal environment prevailing at the Green Machine now, Chiragwi has refused to work under pressure.

“There’s no pressure in football and obviously coming to a club like CAPS United, if you look at the rich history that the club has, obviously you come knowing that it’s a club that has to achieve.

“Not taking away (the fact that) it’s a competition because if it’s just walking in the park, there would be no need for us to compete.

“But it’s a competition. At the end of the day, we must have the objective and also the targets to make sure that you can also improve the club and also your personal growth as a person.

“We will work towards that objective, which is key. And also if you have some targets, it’s easy for you to improve and see where you can improve as a team individually so that you can get where you’re supposed to be.

“Like I’ve said, it’s important to see the certain areas that you need to improve as a coach, especially when you get a new job.

“It’s not automatic that some of the players have won the championship and it’s going to be easy.

“Remember, it’s a combination of the players who are already here and these guys who are now in a new club, coming from their teammates that they’ve achieved a lot of things with.”

Chiragwi tagged along with several players from Ngezi Platinum, including Richard Hachiro, who has previously played for CAPS United, Obriel Chirinda, McDonald Makuwe and Kudzai Chigwida.

Former FC Platinum goalkeeper Wallace Magalane and winger Davison Maruwa have also joined Makepekepe as the Harare giants look to end a decade long wait for the league title.