Saturday, June 28, 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’ Coach Chaminuka: “We’re Ready to Talk Football”

Dynamos’ Coach Chaminuka: “We’re Ready to Talk Football”

by Nyathi
June 27, 2025
0

Dynamos coach Saul Chaminuka is gearing up to face the music after his team's dramatic walk-off against FC Platinum on...

Kindman Ndlovu  Quits

Kindman Ndlovu Quits

by Nyathi
June 27, 2025
0

Highlanders Football Club's acting CEO, Kindman Ndlovu, has quit his position with immediate effect due to alleged nasty fights with...

Man Utd’s Desperate Bid for Brentford Striker Bryan Mbeumo

Man Utd’s Desperate Bid for Brentford Striker Bryan Mbeumo

by Nyathi
June 24, 2025
0

In a shocking turn of events, Manchester United has submitted an improved bid of over £60m for Brentford striker Bryan...

Bosso Fires Coach Kaindu, Try Ncube Takes Over as Interim Boss in a Shocking Turn of Events

Bosso Fires Coach Kaindu, Try Ncube Takes Over as Interim Boss in a Shocking Turn of Events

by Nyathi
June 24, 2025
0

Highlanders Football Club has finally sacked their coach Kelvin Kaindu after a string of disappointing results that left fans fuming...

The Whipping Girls of Limpopo

The Whipping Girls of Limpopo

by Nyathi
June 17, 2025
0

In the heart of Limpopo, South Africa, there's a culture that's got everyone running for cover – literally! Meet the...

Dynamos FC Throws in the Towel- CAF Confederation Cup Withdrawal

Dynamos FC Throws in the Towel- CAF Confederation Cup Withdrawal

by Nyathi
June 14, 2025
0

In a shocking move, Harare giants Dynamos FC has withdrawn from the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup, citing financial and logistical...

Please login to join discussion

Trending News Today

  • Former President Robert Mugabe’s Son , Chatunga  Causes  Havoc in Mazowe

    Former President Robert Mugabe’s Son , Chatunga Causes Havoc in Mazowe

    140 shares
    Share 56 Tweet 35
  • The Rangemore Robbers’ Wild Ride Ends in Court

    100 shares
    Share 40 Tweet 25
  • AFM Pastor’s US$158K Fiasco: A Holy Heist?

    80 shares
    Share 32 Tweet 20
  • Albinism Awareness Campaign Rocks Masvingo

    45 shares
    Share 18 Tweet 11
  • Zanu PF’s Manicaland Meltdown: A Tale of Two Chairwomen

    36 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9
  • Thokozani Khupe ‘s Cry

    27 shares
    Share 11 Tweet 7
  • Kindman Ndlovu Quits

    22 shares
    Share 9 Tweet 6
  • 77-Year Marriage Ends Over 60-Year-Old Secret

    239 shares
    Share 96 Tweet 60
  • 203 Cases of Serious Crimes Suspect in Custody

    17 shares
    Share 7 Tweet 4
  • Mai Titi’s Mysterious Message

    83 shares
    Share 33 Tweet 21

Popular This Week

  • Courtroom Exchange: Mai Jeremiah Questioned by Defense Lawyer

    Courtroom Exchange: Mai Jeremiah Questioned by Defense Lawyer

    328 shares
    Share 131 Tweet 82
  • 77-Year Marriage Ends Over 60-Year-Old Secret

    239 shares
    Share 96 Tweet 60
  • Fire Destroys XGX Mall in Harare CBD

    142 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 36
  • Former President Robert Mugabe’s Son , Chatunga Causes Havoc in Mazowe

    140 shares
    Share 56 Tweet 35
  • Pastor Dumi’s Holy Debt Drama

    123 shares
    Share 49 Tweet 31
  • Polyandrous Pandemonium: Woman Drags Husband to Court Over Lack of Financial Support

    118 shares
    Share 47 Tweet 30
  • The Rangemore Robbers’ Wild Ride Ends in Court

    100 shares
    Share 40 Tweet 25
  • ZRP Investigates “Vuzu” Party, Cracks Down on Car Thief

    87 shares
    Share 35 Tweet 22
  • Armed Robbers Hijack Mercedes Benz in Bulawayo

    84 shares
    Share 34 Tweet 21
  • Mai Titi’s Mysterious Message

    83 shares
    Share 33 Tweet 21

Popular This Month

  • Susan Mutami’s Desperate Plea To  Temba  Mliswa

    Susan Mutami’s Desperate Plea To Temba Mliswa

    438 shares
    Share 175 Tweet 110
  • Courtroom Exchange: Mai Jeremiah Questioned by Defense Lawyer

    328 shares
    Share 131 Tweet 82
  • Fatal Dog Attack Exposes Mike Mupinga’s Troubling Past

    295 shares
    Share 118 Tweet 74
  • Street Preacher’s Double Life Exposed

    290 shares
    Share 116 Tweet 73
  • Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    270 shares
    Share 108 Tweet 68
  • Man Narrowly Escapes Becoming a Lion Snack

    253 shares
    Share 101 Tweet 63
  • The Whipping Girls of Limpopo

    251 shares
    Share 100 Tweet 63
  • 77-Year Marriage Ends Over 60-Year-Old Secret

    239 shares
    Share 96 Tweet 60
  • The Pilot Who Flew Under the Radar for 20 Years

    236 shares
    Share 94 Tweet 59
  • “Sekuru Malawi” Scams in Mbare

    220 shares
    Share 88 Tweet 55

Most Read Stories

  • “Zimbabwe Is Discrediting SADC”

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

    5248 shares
    Share 2099 Tweet 1312
  • Madzibaba gets Toyota Aqua after explaining new currency ZiG to church

    4541 shares
    Share 1816 Tweet 1135
  • Breaking News: Zimbabwe launches New Currency (Zig)

    4281 shares
    Share 1712 Tweet 1070
  • Guide : How to access 2023 Zimsec Ordinary O Level results online

    3977 shares
    Share 1591 Tweet 994
  • Uganda Police Officer Shoots Wife Dead After Mocking Him Over Man-U Loss

    3900 shares
    Share 1560 Tweet 975
  • Floods hit Gweru

    3595 shares
    Share 1438 Tweet 899
  • Mashura pa Gokwe musi wa 12.02.24

    3546 shares
    Share 1418 Tweet 887
  • Secret message for ED after his inauguration

    3485 shares
    Share 1394 Tweet 871
  • Heatwave Warning:Expect Extremely hot temp ranging from 36° to 41° until 12 March

    3395 shares
    Share 1358 Tweet 849
  • Here is the reckless Kombi Driver!!!!!!!!!!! See pics here

    3222 shares
    Share 1289 Tweet 806

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • 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