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Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

WARRIORS legend Benjani Mwaruwari could be exonerated for believing in 2015 Soccer Star of the Year, Danny “Deco” Phiri.

Mwaruwari was about to sign the former Chicken Inn midfielder at Ngezi Platinum Stars just before he was sacked by the Mhondoro-based team in July last year.

And Mwaruwari’s exit proved disastrous for Phiri who was then told by the current coach Takesure Chiragwi he was not in his plans.

In a way the youthful gaffer was right.

Phiri spent over five years in the South African Premiership where he turned out for Golden Arrows and most thought his best days are over.

He then headed to Bulawayo Chiefs with the Bulawayo side thought to have been desperate to take on board any player following their much-publicised financial challenges that resulted in a mass exodus last month.

But, the 33-year-old anchorman has proven he still has it in his legs after a dominant display in the Castle Challenge Cup against FC Platinum at Mandava last Saturday.

Although the Zvishavane club emerged the victors in an outstanding 2-0 win, Phiri showed just how much Ngezi Platinum could have lost.

The former Warriors midfielder was so good he neutralised the venom posed by the FC Platinum midfield trio of Juan Mutudza, Brian Banda and Hagiazo Magaya almost single-handedly.

Only man-of-the-match Jarrison Selemani and Mutudza completed more dribbles than Phiri who bossed the midfield with aplomb.

Although he ended at the losing end, Phiri said his team has the potential to compete with the best in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League which begins this coming weekend.

“It feels good to be back in the local football trenches for me. I have been longing for this opportunity to finally kick the ball in the domestic Premiership,” said Phiri.

“Obviously, I am disappointed I have had a disappointing re-introduction into the fold after we lost 2-0 to FC Platinum in the Castle Challenge Cup.

“But, this is a team which is rebuilding and there are a lot of young players in this side and they are still learning the ropes. We hope that the league will bring good fortunes for us.

“For me, I believe, there is still a long way to go. I still have my legs on and the energy levels are still up there and I will be eager to show the world that I am still good.

“I am ready to relaunch my domestic career with a group of exciting players who we have at Bulawayo Chiefs.”

Phiri said Bulawayo Chiefs have a lot of youngsters who, should they gel, could be handy in driving the team’s cause this season.

“I am impressed with the players we have at Bulawayo Chiefs and we know if we focus and minimise our mistakes, we will do very well in the league.

“It’s always difficult, of course, having to start all over again like in the case of my team given we lost so many guys. But the fact is if we put in the work, train hard and keep the focus, we will obviously be able to do very well in the league.

“The team spirit in our side is impressive as well. I saw in the game against FC Platinum, when we were down, everyone was rallying the other guy to keep on pushing. It is those things that make all the players want to play well.

“I have no doubt we have a very good team which is capable of doing wonders this season.

“Individually, I will be out to re-establish myself as one of the top players in the league but the priority will be for the team to do well in the league.”

Interestingly, Phiri’s first domestic league game in almost eight years is coming against Ngezi Platinum, whose coach Chiragwi discarded him before he could get a chance to prove himself.

The two teams clash at Luveve on Saturday.