Saturday, June 7, 2025
No Result
View All Result
News Report  Zimbabwe
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News
No Result
View All Result
News Report  Zimbabwe
No Result
View All Result
Home Sports

Former Highlanders and Caps United star Joel “Josta” Ngodzo retires from professional football

February 24, 2024
0
Former Highlanders and Caps United star Joel “Josta” Ngodzo retires from professional football

FORMER Warriors star Joel “Josta” Ngodzo has retired from professional football, at the age of 35, after his contract with Caps United was not renewed at the end of last year.

The former Highlanders and Caps United man told the source in an exclusive interview that his decision to quit football was not influenced by any injuries or fitness concerns. Josta’s retirement draws to a close a career which has all — highs, lows, controversy, and a lot of on and off-field disciplinary problems.

“I have decided to hang up my boots. It’s a decision I had to make,” Josta said.

“I came to this decision after my deal with Caps United ended on December 31. I have made the choice, even if it wasn’t easy. It is not about any injury or fitness issues, but I have just decided to quit playing football. I am not sure of my next move as yet and I am not certain if I will venture into coaching or not, but as a man, I have to do something to provide for the family.”

An immensely talented midfielder, and arguably one of the best players of his generation, Josta did naughty things throughout his career, most of which saw him unable to fulfil his true potential.

A creative genius, blessed with outstanding natural football ability, the midfielder regularly fell out with coaches due to indiscipline. Ngodzo was promoted to the Highlanders senior team in 2009 and immediately shone like a beacon in his debut campaign. In that campaign, he was simply brilliant, and it felt as if he could be anything he wanted to be.

Cash-rich FC Platinum came knocking for his signature the following season, splashing a record US$60 000 fee to sign the artistic midfielder.

Josta was just 20 years old and already earmarked as the brightest young talent in the land. He was even touted as the next Peter Ndlovu. There, it appears, was the problem.

The burden of Ndlovu comparison, fame, attention, and the newly found fortune at such a tender age proved to be just too much, and reports emerged of him involved in beer binges in Zvishavane.

After a rather underwhelming stay at Mandava, Josta rejoined Highlanders at the end of his four year contract.

He was criticised by then Bosso coach Bongani Mafu for his poor diet.

Josta did not stay longer as he moved to Harare to join Caps United in 2015, where his career was revived, helping the Green Machine to win the league championship in 2016.

His biggest personal recognition came in 2019 when he was deservedly named Castle Lager Soccer Star of Year following an outstanding season in which he scored 10 goals to help Caps United finish as runners-up in the league title race.

Josta’s sterling performance attracted interest from Zambian side Buildcon in 2020 for his first foreign gig.

But things did not work out for Ngodzo in Lusaka as he failed to break into the team’s starting XI, as issues of his weight and indiscipline cropped up again.

A season later, he resurfaced at his boyhood team Highlanders but had a fallout with coach Baltemar Brito who could not certify him fit for the squad.

In July 2022 and after spending just six months in Bulawayo, he was released.

“We just decided to release him because we don’t mind about the status of a player, but we are only worried about performance and we felt that he could not fit what was required for the position that he played,” Brito said. “We know that he is big here but we don’t care about that status, we care about performance.”

Ngodzo retraced his footsteps back to Harare to rejoin Caps United but his stay was also a short and tumultuous one, which was blamed on his off-field behaviour, alcohol abuse to be specific. The Green Machine’s patience on Josta, in the end, ran out, and they decided against renewing his contract at the end of the season last year.

Source Newsday

Tags: Caps Unitedfootball carrierJoel "Josta" Ngodzo

Related Posts

DYNAMOS’ LOVE FOR SANGOMAS (US$126,000) , BUT GHANAIAN PLAYERS LEFT HIGH AND DRY

DYNAMOS’ LOVE FOR SANGOMAS (US$126,000) , BUT GHANAIAN PLAYERS LEFT HIGH AND DRY

by Nyathi
May 30, 2025
0

In a shocking revelation, Dynamos FC has reportedly splurged a staggering US$126,000 on n'angas (traditional healers) over 126 matches, while...

Dynamos’ Debt Debacle -A FIFA Ban to Remember

Dynamos’ Debt Debacle -A FIFA Ban to Remember

by Nyathi
May 29, 2025
0

In a move that can only be described as a masterclass in poor financial management, Dynamos, one of Zimbabwe's most...

Farewell to a Legend -Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Emotional Goodbye

Farewell to a Legend -Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Emotional Goodbye

by Nyathi
May 26, 2025
0

  The Anfield crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Trent Alexander-Arnold took to the field for the final time...

Can Rúben  Amorim Deliver  ?

Can Rúben Amorim Deliver ?

by Nyathi
May 23, 2025
0

Manchester United's season has been a total mess! They're sitting in 16th place in the Premier League, with only 6...

Soccer Stadium Turns into War Zone: ZIFA Vows to Crack Down on Hooligans

Soccer Stadium Turns into War Zone: ZIFA Vows to Crack Down on Hooligans

by Nyathi
May 20, 2025
0

In a shocking display of fan frenzy gone wrong, a Central Region Soccer League match between Shabanie Mine and Gwanda...

Liverpool on the Brink of Signing Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth

Liverpool on the Brink of Signing Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth

by Nyathi
May 19, 2025
0

The suspense is killing us! Liverpool fans, get ready to swoon over the latest scoop: the Reds are reportedly close...

Please login to join discussion

Trending News Today

  • Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    174 shares
    Share 70 Tweet 44
  • Two Zimbabwean Care Home Workers in the UK attacked, one killed

    96 shares
    Share 38 Tweet 24
  • ZEP Holders Breathe a Sigh of Relief as SCA Rules in Their Favor

    91 shares
    Share 36 Tweet 23
  • Sangoma Turns to Lion Snack

    138 shares
    Share 55 Tweet 35
  • Its Open Season for Witch Hunters ‘Tsikamutandas’ – TMPC, Police Join Forces

    39 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • Fake Doctor leaves 23-year-old hypnotized

    38 shares
    Share 15 Tweet 10
  • Chiredzi: CIO Officer Goes Rogue

    88 shares
    Share 35 Tweet 22
  • Masvingo Council Official Takes His Own Life

    67 shares
    Share 27 Tweet 17
  • Teenager Convicted for Falsely Accusing a Man of Rape

    34 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9
  • Dead Man Walking , Literally .

    31 shares
    Share 12 Tweet 8

Popular This Week

  • Fatal Dog Attack Exposes Mike Mupinga’s Troubling Past

    Fatal Dog Attack Exposes Mike Mupinga’s Troubling Past

    273 shares
    Share 109 Tweet 68
  • Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    174 shares
    Share 70 Tweet 44
  • The Turbulent Life of President Mnangagwa: A Story of Helicopters, Close Calls, and Air Force Angst

    142 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 36
  • Pastor’s Pulpit Shame- Church Leader Caught in Love Triangle

    140 shares
    Share 56 Tweet 35
  • Sangoma Turns to Lion Snack

    138 shares
    Share 55 Tweet 35
  • Serial South African Killer Escapes To Zimbabwe

    111 shares
    Share 44 Tweet 28
  • COVID-19 Variant Alert: WHO Urges Global Vigilance

    110 shares
    Share 44 Tweet 28
  • The Fake Doc- “Take Lacto And Fruits Three Times a Day”

    108 shares
    Share 43 Tweet 27
  • Daughter and Son-in-Law Swindle Father Out of $100k

    161 shares
    Share 64 Tweet 40
  • Two Zimbabwean Care Home Workers in the UK attacked, one killed

    96 shares
    Share 38 Tweet 24

Popular This Month

  • How to Legally Avoid Paying the US$92 ZBC Radio Licence Fee in Zimbabwe

    How to Legally Avoid Paying the US$92 ZBC Radio Licence Fee in Zimbabwe

    600 shares
    Share 240 Tweet 150
  • Bulawayo Police Bust Vuzu Party, Arrest 13 Youths

    324 shares
    Share 130 Tweet 81
  • Unhealed Wounds-Remembering the 21 Mothers of Emkhonyeni Who Were Burnt Alive

    314 shares
    Share 126 Tweet 79
  • Apostle Eunor Guti Declines Wicknell Chivayo’s Lavish Gift

    274 shares
    Share 110 Tweet 69
  • Fatal Dog Attack Exposes Mike Mupinga’s Troubling Past

    273 shares
    Share 109 Tweet 68
  • Loophole or Legal Gymnastics? Zimbabwean Schools Find Ways Around Fee Payment Rule

    248 shares
    Share 99 Tweet 62
  • New ‘ lobola’ Fees for Foreigners Seeking Medical Care in Gauteng

    240 shares
    Share 96 Tweet 60
  • The Despicable Scam at Zimbabwe’s Hospitals; Its Business Nothing Personal.

    240 shares
    Share 96 Tweet 60
  • Philanthropy or Publicity Stunt? Wicknell Chivayo’s Lavish Gift to Jah Prayzah’s Team

    212 shares
    Share 85 Tweet 53
  • Hospital Investigates Disappearance of Infant’s Body

    205 shares
    Share 82 Tweet 51

Most Read Stories

  • “Zimbabwe Is Discrediting SADC”

    ZANU PF Accused Of Bribing SADC Elders To Retain From Losing Power

    5239 shares
    Share 2096 Tweet 1310
  • Madzibaba gets Toyota Aqua after explaining new currency ZiG to church

    4533 shares
    Share 1813 Tweet 1133
  • Breaking News: Zimbabwe launches New Currency (Zig)

    4279 shares
    Share 1712 Tweet 1070
  • Guide : How to access 2023 Zimsec Ordinary O Level results online

    3973 shares
    Share 1589 Tweet 993
  • Uganda Police Officer Shoots Wife Dead After Mocking Him Over Man-U Loss

    3893 shares
    Share 1557 Tweet 973
  • Floods hit Gweru

    3593 shares
    Share 1437 Tweet 898
  • Mashura pa Gokwe musi wa 12.02.24

    3544 shares
    Share 1418 Tweet 886
  • Secret message for ED after his inauguration

    3481 shares
    Share 1392 Tweet 870
  • Heatwave Warning:Expect Extremely hot temp ranging from 36° to 41° until 12 March

    3394 shares
    Share 1358 Tweet 849
  • Here is the reckless Kombi Driver!!!!!!!!!!! See pics here

    3218 shares
    Share 1287 Tweet 805

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Home

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News