Tsipa, 17 years and counting

LEONARD TSIPA was still a fresh faced 23-year-old, his first child Sean was only two and in diapers when Caps United last won the league championship.

Sean Tsipa is now 13, playing junior football in South Africa and now has two siblings Takunda and Christian.

His father is still part of the Green Machine.

Now a 34-year-old veteran reaching the twilight of a top flight career that began in 1999, when he was still a Form Four student, Tsipa intends to end his playing career in style.

Tsipa last week told The Sunday Mail that he intends to retire after the 2018 season and wants to walk away from the game having won a third league championship medal.

The striker won his first league medal in 2004, the year he also clinched the top goal scorer’s award with 18 goals.

Caps United retained the league championship the following season.

“I feel I am getting to the end but at the same time I still feel I can play at the top for two more seasons.

“In football you need to win trophies, especially the league title, so another championship before I retire would cap it all,” he said.

As the league title race heads to the wire with FC Platinum, Caps United and Highlanders in a three horse race Tsipa, who is topping the goal scoring charts with nine goals, is ready to sacrifice individual glory for the team.

“I would rather concentrate on team achievements and not individual accolades.

“My job is to score goals for the team so that we win the league title and the Golden Boot would just be a bonus,” he said.

Tsipa is a Liverpool supporter but is inspired by Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is still playing top level football at 34.

Most of the players he played with at Caps United have retired while some are now into football administration and coaching but Tsipa is kicking on 17 years after he made his topflight debut.

“It is all about hard work, passion and praying to the living God. My wife Samantha has always been there for me. Even my Whatsapp status ‘Musha Mukadzi’ says it all,” he said with a laugh.

One major influence in Tsipa’s career has been the never ending support he gets from his father.

At 79, William Tsipa is still a permanent feature in the National Sports Stadium’s VIP section with his trademark green blazer.

“My father was a Caps United supporter even before I was a player. He rarely misses my home games and it is good to have him around.”

Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe is full of Tsipa praises.

“Lenso is a great professional; I wish players of today were like him. The way he trains is amazing; he needs no supervision at all. Simply put, he is a delight to work with,” said Chitembwe who played alongside Tsipa in the 2004 and 2005 championship winning side.