Zikeeper credits Chunga for set-piece mastery
Giant CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda has credited his coach Moses Chunga for his stunning emergence as the top dead-ball specialist in the premiership.
Sibanda bagged six goals from free-kicks in the second half of last season. He has already scored twice in pre-season this time around and is undoubtedly looking to better last year’s record.
In last Sunday’s 5-2 league victory over Shooting Stars, Sibanda was not on the score-sheet but two booming free-kicks produced two goals, with the ball striking the opposition wall on each occasion to roll kindly for a teammate to slam home.
Simba Sithole and Pride Tafirenyika were the beneficiaries. But it was Sibanda’s nickname, Zikeeper, which the CAPS fans were chanting.
When Makepekepe take on Shabanie Mine in a Castle Lager Premiership encounter on Saturday, the supporters will be hoping for more of the same.
The man himself however traces his fairytale back to the arrival of the shrewd Chunga at CAPS last August.
“I never took any free-kicks at Chapungu. But when I joined CAPS I would remain behind with other players after trainings sessions, just helping them out with more free- kick practice.
“When Chunga took charge, he noticed that I was good and gave me the responsibility of taking our free-kicks and that is when it all started,”
Sibanda told SuperSport.com this week.
The former Chapungu man has not looked back since, showing again in pre-season that last year’s goals were no fluke.
Zikeeper scored with a ferocious 25-yard effort in CAPS’ 3-2 loss to Dynamos in the Bob’87 Cup.
He then hit the target again in a recent friendly against FC Platinum which ended 1-1.
But the giant goalkeeper admits the statistics that matter most for him centre on the goals against column.
And five goals in two games is not a particularly proud record for any goalkeeper.
Sibanda is however convinced that the team will, with time, overcome the lapses that have resulted in them conceding so many goals.
“Some of the guys are new and we are still getting to understand each other. I am sure we will overcome our weaknesses in defence and get stronger as the season progresses,” he said.
It is however the danger Sibanda posses in dead-ball situations which Shabanie will be most worried about on Saturday.
