The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi’s FOOTY FOOTNOTES
SO CAPS United’s on-loan forward Denver Mukamba is steadily finding his feet at his temporary MaKepeKepe base. If the performances he has put up in the recent past pulling the green shirt are anything to go by, then things look like they are shaping up well for the former golden ball winner of our local league.
Having appeared in cameo roles for his new paymasters at the start of the season, Mukamba suddenly found his stride and starred for the Green Machine following his inclusion in the starting XI for the first time.
On his first full debut, the talented midfielder provided an assist for one of striker Simba Nhivi’s two goals against Black Rhinos over the Easter holidays.
On Sunday against newboys Herentals, his second straight start, it got even better for him as he found his range by scoring his first goal in the green strip and laying another assist – his second in the running in as many games – for the Nigerian assassin Abasirim Chidiebere.
Now that is a pretty handsome return and on the current evidence of his present form, Mukamba could turn out to be the bargain of the season if his “chi” – what they call a personal god in the land of the Naira where Chidiebere hails from – says yes strongly.
And it looks like CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe has found a useful and effective way of exploiting Mukamba’s talents as every corner kick he puts his boot behind looks like a half goal through a definite assist.
Also, that, by our book, is progress for the much-maligned forward who had become an outcast at his own home — DeMbare — and had fallen out with his coach Lloyd Mutasa.
Yes, Denver can dazzle if he exorcises and conquers his drug demons.
And, oh, yes, Denver can deliver again and recapture the sparkling and talismanic form that saw him being crowed our elite league’s finest player in 2012.
The season is hardly older than a quarter of its duration and there is still a lot to expect and to come, but it is so far so good for Mukamba, however; whom the “prodigal son’s” adopted father — Chitembwe — has glowingly lavished praises on for his quality as a hardworking and committed player who has never missed or came late for training sessions since joining up.
This is only Herentals and Black Rhinos against whom Mukamba has impressed, do I hear someone quipping and querying? Yes, but even the devil deserves his dues and credit; for where there is a will for Denver there shall always be a way.
And it looks like Denver is finally enjoying the love MaKepeKepe showed him and the faith and trust they invested in him by taking him in after he was thrown out at DeMbare.
While he is now turning on the power and helping CAPS United win games and improve their position on the log standings, DeMbare continue to wallow in their own misery and languish at the foot of the table.
And if the Glamour boys’ blue army continue to sing the blues over their team’s poor showing and indifferent form, they surely will turn green with envy if Denver’s purple patch persists.
And while he is ineligible for the Harare Derby, as per the stipulations spelt out in his loan move deal, imagine him settling the Battle of Cities clash against Bosso!
As he is just starting to make a mark, can Mukamba make the money for MaKepeKepe?
Will he turn a corner and prove naysayers – some here at Footy Footnotes included, we must admit – wrong?
Could he eventually turn out to be the proverbial stone that the builder rejected?
After all is said and done, could CAPS United’s gain eventually turn out to be DeMbare’s pain at the end of the season?
If it is about football that you care let’s share the cheer because we are made for the game, mad about the game.
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