Kumbuyani rues missed Europe chance

FORMER Caps United star Tapuwa Kumbuyani has reflected on his two-decade career, regretting a missed opportunity to break into Europe in 2012.

For him it was almost a dream come true but it ended up being a life-long nightmare.

Having proven his mettle and renowned as one of the finest defenders on the local scene, impressing Irish gaffer Sean Connor, Kumbuyani found himself on the brink of a move to Scotland.

That was the only time, Kumbuyani felt a move abroad would materialise.

Kumbuyani would later hang his boots in 2018, but his failure to move to Europe remains a thorn in the flesh.

He said: “I was supposed to join a Scottish club in 2012, but the deal never materialised after Sean Connor was relieved of his duties as coach at Caps and that was a huge blow to me,” he said.

“It was heartbreaking because he was the one orchestrating the deal, everything seemed to be in place, unfortunately his departure saw the deal collapsing.

“It was difficult to take during the first days, but I had to accept it, maybe that was what God had planned for my career, so I had to man up and dust myself up to continue playing.”

“Playing for one of the biggest teams in the country like Caps was like a dream come true, something every young footballer in the country can only dream of. To make it even more special I was selected as one of the eleven soccer stars of the year. I joined Makepekepe in 2011.

“At Caps, I was given the captain’s armband and the responsibility to lead the boys on the pitch was a true honour. It moulded me into a better player, and got me an opportunity to play for the national team.”

Kumbuyani retired at 34, ending an illustrious career where he played for Masvingo United, Kiglon, Blue Ribbon, Chapungu, Bantu Rovers and Monomotapa.

However it is at Caps United where he made a name for himself. He engraved his name on the 2011 soccer stars’ calendar and he also got regular national team call-ups.