Kapini could return home

By Eddie Chikamhi

FORMER Warriors skipper Tapuwa Kapini has hinted he would like to wrap up his football career at home if he fails to get a team in the South Africa Premiership.

Kapini was released by AmaZulu last week, albeit with six months remaining on his deal.

The contract was terminated just before the close of the transfer window last Friday under unclear circumstances and compatriot Energy Murambadoro was roped in from Mpumalanga Black Aces as a direct replacement.

The 31-year old shot-stopper spent four seasons with the club and is eligible to be registered as a non-foreigner in the South African Premiership after acquiring permanent residence last year.

Chippa United and his former employers Platinum Stars are understood to have interest in the goalkeeper’s services, apart from the other offers that have come from some South African Lower Division clubs.

However, the veteran goalkeeper insists that if he gets no joy in South Africa “soon”, he may have to pack his bags and return home to round off a career that spans close to 15 years.

“I am now a free agent. I need to get my confidence back and move on with my career. I think I have three or more seasons to play football.

“So my agents are busy trying to put together something for me but if I can’t find a job here (in South Africa) soon then I may have to look at other options.

“Playing back home is another option but my agent will advise me on that. It’s something I am also considering.

“If I don’t get a job within a certain time frame, I will sit down with my wife and discuss because we cannot continue staying here when I am not employed, it’s difficult. I still need to play football.

“I have three or four seasons ahead of me and afterwards I will look into things like coaching, football management, grassroots development or scouting,” said Kapini.

The former Warriors goalkeeper, however, is not yet decided which team to play for if he decides to come back home but Highlanders is believed to be the team closest to his heart.

Kapini made his breakthrough in the domestic top-flight back in 2000 at Black Aces.

The following season he moved to Highlanders where he made his name before crossing the borders to further his career in South Africa.

The goalkeeper left Bosso in 2006 to join Platinum Stars.

He played five seasons at Dikwena and then switched to AmaZulu where he had his highs and lows in a stint characterised by a love-hate relationship with the supporters.

“It’s all part of football. It’s still a fact that I was not going to be at AmaZulu for eternity. I came and now I am leaving.

“So it’s one of those things which every other player experiences but on another note it’s very sad to leave especially after having spent the last four years with the club.

“We had become more like a family and when I told the other players that I am leaving, most of them thought it was a joke. We had created such a bond and were so close after all those years.

“It happens. But I saw it coming because it looked like things had changed if you looked at the relationship with the superiors. So I couldn’t force things and I have to leave.

“I had my shortcomings, like any other player, but it seems some people were not happy.

Maybe they thought some of the mistakes that happened on the pitch were on purpose.

“I could sense things were not working well of late. But then I will not keep my head down,” said Kapini. The Herald