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THREE years ago, Limited Chikafa’s football career appeared as if it had come to an end. He even had a bigger battle to fight — for his life as he lay on a hospital bed in Harare.

The former CAPS United skipper had been diagnosed with a heart ailment after an X-ray detected some fluids in his lungs that created difficulties in his breathing.

Back then Chikafa was clubless and was still bitter after he unceremoniously left CAPS United in 2009 before a short stint at Shooting Stars in 2010.

Chikafa struggled to meet his medical bills and had to ask CAPS United shareholder Farai Jere for assistance.

He has since recovered from that ailment and the doctors certified he was free to play football again.

Now running on a pair of 33-year-old legs, but with the pace of a teenager, Chikafa had been one of the reasons why ZPC Kariba suddenly find themselves as the favourites to land the Castle Lager Premiership title in their maiden year in the top-flight league.

On Saturday, the veteran striker scored the winner as ZPC Kariba stunned the highly-fancied Dynamos in the penultimate match of the season at the National Sports Stadium.

A former Railstars forward, Chikafa is now ready for the match against CAPS United knowing that ZPC Kariba are counting on his experience.

“The game we are going to play against CAPS United has less pressure on us than the match we have just won against Dynamos,” said Chikafa.

“Dynamos are the champions and all we need to do is to (be calm). If we remain cool, I do not foresee any reasons why we could falter at the end.”

A win for ZPC Kariba will hand Chikafa and his experienced journeymen a championship medal and the player knows what is expected of them now.

A draw might not be enough if Dynamos beat How Mine by a four-goal margin.

“We are very motivated at this stage of the season as ZPC Kariba and I think we are in cruise mode.

“Going into the match against Dynamos, we were chasing only one result and that was a victory. So we have to take the same mentality into the important match.

“We need a win but our options are wider because a draw can also help us,” he said.

CAPS United are assured of a top four finish but could lose third place in the event that they lose against ZPC Kariba and FC Platinum win against relegated Chiredzi at Mandava. ZPC Kariba are aware that the Green Machine played a big part in aiding Dynamos to the championship last season when they drew 2-2 against Harare City in the last match last year.

Harare City needed a win to eclipse Dynamos but they were restricted to a 2-2 draw by the Green Machine at the National Sports Stadium on the day dubbed “Super Sunday.”

“We are not under-estimating CAPS United because I know they will come and fight for a result. I do not think that we should complacent at all just because we have beaten Dynamos,” said Chikafa.

ZPC Kariba have a number of seasoned players like Elvis Meleka, Pride Tafirenyika, Tawanda Nyamwandwe, Tawanda Munyanduri, Pardon Chinungwa and the unsung hero in defence Dennis Daudi in their ranks.

“My contribution to the team is immense in a way that I am the most experienced (player) and these youngsters always look up to me.

“The moment I click and come to the party, I also raise the whole team. In the game against Dynamos I needed that spark to light the team.

“In the first half, I was playing on the wing and I could see that I was not making much inroads into the defence but then I was switched to central position in the second half and I clicked.

“I combined well with the guys in going forward and that resulted in a goal. I am not the driving force in the team but I know that I have the motivation and in the game against Dynamos I managed to get that sucker-punch,” said Chikafa. Chikafa said after he switched to the centre, his teammates were now supplying him with passes. — Sportszone