Warriors goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini has sealed a three-year deal with South Africa’s Absa Premiership football club AmaZulu.
At AmaZulu, Kapini joins former Gunners players, former Footballer of the Year Ramson Zhuwawo and Carrington Nyadombo who were both regulars in their maiden season last year.
Kapini joins AmaZulu in a transfer believed to be in the region of R1 million. He has signed a three-year deal with an option for a further 12 months and could be replaced by Botswana’s Modimo Morumo or Santos goalkeeper Tshepo Motsoeneng.
“We think it is a very good move, the coach of AmaZulu, Manqoba Mngqithi is an admirer of the player and he believes the club’s goalkeeper department needs beefing up and that Tapuwa will definitely add value,” said agent Ryan Hartslief of Big Time Sports.
“Tapuwa also wants to take the opportunity to thank Platinum Stars for all that they have done for him in the five seasons he has been with the club. He certainly has very fond memories of his time there.”
Kapini made his Premier Soccer League debut for Stars in the 2006/07 season and made 97 appearances for the club at a time when he also faced stiff competition from Wayne Sandilands, who then moved to Mamelodi Sundowns.
He will now compete for a place in the Usuthu starting line-up with Mbongeni Mzimela, who was in the recent Bafana Bafana squad for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt, and national Under-23 goalkeeper Nhlanhla Khuzwayo.
He joined Stars from Highlanders in 2006-just after winning the league championship under Methembe Ndlovu.
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Ironically in 2005, Kapini had turned down a move to Stars, then known as Silver Stars, before being bought by the cash rich platinum miners, the Royal Bafokeng tribe, saying he was waiting for a bigger club.
He almost signed for Orlando Pirates after attending trials before he decided to join the “smaller” Stars after persuasion from Bekithemba Ndlovu and Joel Luphahla, both former teammates at Highlanders and the Warriors.
Meanwhile, the country’s top central defenders, Highlanders captain Gilbert Banda and Caps United’ Gilbert Mapemba could be lost to Platinum Stars if a deal to them there materialises.
Sources yesterday said the two are expected to attend trials at Owen Da Gama’s side next week, once clearances have been obtained from their respective clubs.
“The coach is looking for an experienced central defender and right back and these are the best that Zimbabwe has now,” sources said.
