Tapiwa Kapini, photo by Savious Kwinika, CAJ News Africa
SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – EXPERIENCED Zimbabwean goalkeeper, Tapuwa Kapini, has given Highlands Park a major boost ahead of this weekend’s MTN 8 final after fully recovering from a lengthy shoulder injury.
He nonetheless has rallied behind current number one, Thela Ngobeni, who is likelier to start against Supersport United in the final scheduled for Saturday at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
“As a senior player at the club, I’m therefore giving 100 percent support to Thela Ngobeni ahead of this crucial final,” Kapini said in an interview with CAJ News on Tuesday at Balfour Park training grounds north of Johannesburg.
“The youngster has been in good form and helping the team to win crucial matches. I pray his (Ngobeni) form continues to the MTN8 final against SuperSport so that we win the silverware,” Kapini said.
The 35-year-old noted the match against SuperSport would be tricky as his former national teammate, Kaitano Tembo, now at the helm of Supersport, had transformed the Pretoria-based outfit.
“For us to win the MTN8, we must stick to the coach (Owen da Gama’s) game plan,” Kapini said.
The goalkeeper was part of the then-Silver Stars side that da Gama guided to victory in the inaugural Telkom Knockout in 2006.
He called on Highlands Park supporters to come in their numbers to cheer the club as the The Lions of the North seek to make history by winning their maiden silverware in the Premiership era.
On a personal note, Kapini revealed he was now a Christian, saying such development had aided his recovery.
Meanwhile, Kapini’s countryman and teammate, Tendai Ndoro, said he was fully prepared for the MTN8 final as victory would be an early Christmas gift to the team supporters.
“The morale is high in the club. We hope we win the MTN8,” the striker said.
– CAJ News