FORMER CAPS United star Raymond Undi might be tucked away in the UK, but still has nostalgic memories of his days at the club. Report by Our Correspondent
Undi, a vital cog in the CAPS United side that won the 2004 and 2005 season, is now playing for a Pro Division (Aylesbury District League) team called Aylesbury Dynamos based in Aylesbury County of Buckinghamshire.
Undi stayed behind in the UK together with Elton Chimedza, Silent Katumba (late), Artwell Mabhiza, David Sengu, Leornard Tsipa, Ashley Rambanepasi, Tichaona Nyenda after a friendly game against Highlanders in Bradford in 2005. Bosso also came back without Dalisizwe Dhlamini and Luckson Mutanga.
Katumba, Sengu, Tsipa, Chimedza and Rambanepasi returned home with some of them having resuscitated their careers. It could be the same route that the former exciting winger, who now plays as a midfielder, wishes to follow.
“I am yet to speak to anyone back home except [Charles] Mhlauri but he is not in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Currently, Undi’s team sits on position four, but finished the 2011/2012 season on position six, with 31 points after winning 13 games, losing 13 and drawing one.
The 29-year-old star who is the only Zimbabwean in the team and scored a single goal last season, however refused to disclose how much he was being paid.
Undi, who also had a stint with the Warriors, said his soccer life in the UK has helped him grow mentally and physically despite him getting older.
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“Soccer in the UK is okay though I cannot stand the weather sometimes. I am playing more as a central midfielder and I am doing quite well. I am getting better with age and I still want to play for the Warriors if given a chance,” he said.
Born and bred in Mbare, Undi started playing football at the age of seven for a team called Nehanda FC. He later joined Black Rhinos Juniors under the late Jerry Chidawu, Gift Makoni, Sami Mavhenyengu, Dromet Chirova and Nesbert Saruchera.
He then joined CAPS United juniors where he worked with football greats like the late Alois Patsika, Eddie Muchongwe, Albert Mabika, James Bvumbi, Gishon Ntini, Joe “Kode” Mugabe and Freddy Mkwesha .
Undi then joined division one outfit Sporting Lions from CAPS juniors where he was mentored by Stanley Chirambadare before returning back to CAPS United.
He also had a stint at Acardia Utd where he met Artwell Mabhiza, coaches Carlos Max and Hamid Dhana.
Undi then retraced his roots to CAPS United and was handed his debut at the club by Nelson Matongorere.
“My first ever CAPS United debut was under Nelson Matongorere against Daryn T at Rufaro Stadium and [I] will always remember that,” he said.
