ALMOST 13 years have passed since former CAPS United winger Artwell Mabhiza prematurely ended his professional football career following his decision to remain behind in the United Kingdom after a high-profile friendly pitting his former club against Highlanders in Bradford, northern England.
BY ALBERT MASAKA
Mabhiza was vice-captain of the famous Charles Mhlauri-coached Makepekepe side, which was on course to seal back-to-back league titles in 2015 having a year earlier lost only one game on their way to a historic first premiership crown since 1996.
In fact, the talented winger had earlier that season capped his last campaign with CAPS United in style by scoring in their win against Dynamos in the big Harare derby.
A successful international career with the Warriors appeared to be well on course for Mabhiza until — he along with five other CAPS United players Silent Katumba (now late), David Sengu, Raymond Undi, Elton Chimedza and Tichaona Nyenda — avoided their flight back home after the UK exhibition match.
Bosso also came back from the UK tour without two of their players Dalisizwe Dhlamini and Luckson Mutanga.
So what really made Mabhiza, then one of the finest players in the domestic league, prematurely bring the curtain down on his career in such a controversial manner?
“I can only speak for myself.as a family man, I had to decide the future of my family,” Mabhiza told The Sports Hub in an interview.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Life is all about opportunity and decision-making and I am here by grace and decided to call it quits as a player, but I am still contributing to the development of our football, simple.”
He added: “Look at this scenario: I was on top of my game and never had a single cap for the senior national squad and the national team coach was my club coach; Making the decision to stay behind in the UK was not rocket science just like when I made one to play football.”
The former CAPS United star said he was now a born-again Christian at Christ Embassy church and was not living in the past and instead busy working to change the future of football in his country of birth.
Mabhiza, who is based in Farnborough, Hampshire, says he is putting the final touches to “a unique football academy” project named All Stars Athletic Football Club (ASAFC), that is aimed at resuscitating the game back home in Zimbabwe.
“I am a football coach at a local boys and girls club. I hold an FA Level 1 certificate, module 1 and 2 award certificates, goalkeeper training certificate and progressing to FA Level 2. My objective is to gain the UEFA A licence.
“I am setting up a football club called All Stars Athletic Football Club, which is officially due to announce itself soon. It will bring direction on how the game must be rendered to younger players, as the set-up will allow good player progression in long-term player development.
“It will prioritise a four-corner development approach that will see young players learning the game in the technical, social, physical and physiological areas.
“Our objective is to develop players who can hold their own at the highest level. We have good coach development programmes that are meant to keep our trainers abreast with modern football techniques.
Mabhiza lamented the state of local football standards, which he says have rapidly declined as evidenced by the recent dismal performances of the junior football teams on the international stage.
“There is need for vibrant junior leagues that allow players to compete. you cannot expect miracles when the preparations are in shambles,” he said.
“The same applies with our senior national team; players are lacking basic football skills like ball control and passing. It’s appalling to see such low standards at this level.”
Mabhiza is also an executive member of the United Kingdom-based CAPS United Legends Association, the brainchild of former Makepe Kepe captain Joe Mugabe, who is the chairman.
The association also includes the likes of Frank “Dealer” Nyamukuta, Liberty Masunda, Kelvin Mushabi, Timothy Chirozvani, Brian Badza, Raymond Undi, Tichaona Nyenda, Innocent Mugabe, Thabani Sibanda and many other former players who turned out for Makepekepe and are now living in the UK.
The legends are working in collaboration with Team Zimbabwe UK, a Diaspora football community project that is fronting development of Zimbabwean football in the UK.
Mabhiza was born and raised in Glen Norah, a high-density suburb in Harare that has nurtured many players who have gone to enjoy successful football careers.
He played for Railstars FC, Arcadia United, and captained Sporting Lions before he capped all by winning back-to-back titles with CAPS United.
The 40-year-old former star said his great motivation came from his father who was very keen to see him play football from a very young age and credits the late coaches Jimmy Lotutu and Friday Phiri for his early development as a young footballer.
“My best coach has to be the now late Jimmy Lotutu from Glen Norah football club, then Friday Phiri who was with me at U14 and later to the first team at Caps, not forgetting my mentor Fewdays Musonda.
Mabhiza said he played in every position except goalie and his favourite local player was the late Costa Maradzike while his most difficult opponent was Rowan Nenzou of army side Black Rhinos.He believes the Mhlauri-coached side, which he was a key part of was the greatest ever CAPS side because of its achievements in winning back-to-back league titles.
This is a big statement considering that CAPS evolved from Caps Rovers just before independence to become a local football giant earning the title Cup Kings.
Some of the great players who donned the CAPS strip include prolific striker Shackman Tauro (late), and midfield geniuses in the mould of Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, Edwin Farai, Stanley Ndunduma (late) and Joel Shambo (late) as well as shot stopper Brenna Msika.
“Our team, which won the league in 2004 and 2005 is the best Caps of all time; we had a fantastic balanced squad, but the only disappointment was that we had a disappointing campaign in the Champions League,” he said.
