Bunjira (Jnr) out to fill father’s shoes
ALOIS Bunjira (Jnr) was not yet born when his father made a larger-than-life impact at CAPS United in the mid ‘90s.
Bunjira was such a fine talent and won the Premiership Golden Boot in 1996 when he helped the Green Machine to their first league title in exactly 15 years.
He formed a deadly combination with Stewart“Shut to” Mu risa who would be voted the Soccer Star of the Year for his exploits that season along with another genius called Morgan Nkathazo.
The former Darryn T star would play in South Africa and was part of the pioneering group of the Warriors that qualified Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 2004, which was the country’s first-ever dance at the continental jamboree.
That is the year Junior Bunjira was born. He has heard stories, some of them too good to be believable, about how his father carried himself in the field of play.
But one thing remains undisputed.
Bunjira remains one of the best players to don the CAPS United jersey in history having been part of that trailblazing 1996 squad that had the likes of Simon Dambaza, Lloyd Chitembwe, Frank Nyamukuta, Maxwell “Cheche” Billiat (late), Silver “Bonzo” Chigwenje, Joe “Kode” Mugabe (late) among others.
For his child, all those are just stories he is told by him, relatives, friends and neighbours. But the time has come for him to write his own story and perhaps do better than what his father was known for after joining Makepekepe in January.
“I cannot say that I want to fit in my father’s shoes as such because I hear he was a top, top player,” said Bunjira (Jnr).
“But I am here to play good football and help my team achieve their goals.
“My father has a bigger profile and I guess it won’t be easy to just go out there and suddenly match him.
“It takes really good work and effort to be able to build a brand. I know being a son of one of the greatest players to play for CAPS United comes with some added pressure on me.
“It is not going to be very easy for me but I do believe in my abilities...
“My father always tells me about how much he loves CAPS United and I feel it is my responsibility to safeguard and defend the team’s badge”.
Yet Bunjira Jnr was on the verge of signing for Makepekepe’s bitter rivals Dynamos just days before he was whisked to the Green Machine’s training ground.
Bunjira Jnr is at ease with Dynamos coach Genesis“K aka” Man go m be who once mentored him at Prince Edward School together with players like Bill Antonio and Junior Makunike. He was fitting in the Glamour Boys squad until CAPS United president Farai Jere learnt through social media that Bunjira Jnr was about to sign for DeMbare.
“I quickly called Alois and inquired whether that was true.
“I even drove to his place and everything is history,” said Jere.
“We know that a fruit doesn’t fall far away from the tree and we are looking forward to a good season with Bunjira Jnr in the fold...”.
The 20-year-old plays as a winger and his father thinks that the boy he groomed at his Album Academy has some attributes which are better than what he possessed in his heyday.
“I know he is a good player. He is a winger and his speed of execution is top notch. I wouldn’t say much but his crossing of the ball is probably better than what I used to do,” said Bunjira Snr.
“I am behind my boy and I hope he excels in Makepekepe’s colours.
“He was indeed training with Dynamos and when the (CAPS United) president (Jere) called me to say look Alois the boy should sign for CAPS United, I wouldn’t refuse that. I am glad my son also understood that”.
Jnr Bunjira was playing for Northern Region Division One side Golden Eagles in the past two seasons and he can use the experience he picked in one of the most competitive leagues in the country to quickly settle at Makepekepe.