Kapini on worst career season

IT'S arguably one of the worst seasons in his professional football career that spans over a decade, with experience gained from playing for four teams in two countries.

And the goalposts can be a dreadful place to occupy, especially if all you've done all season long is concede goals galore.

That is the story of former Warriors goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini who by now must dread that feeling each time he takes to the field having picked up the ball from the back of the net 37 times so far in the Absa Premiership for Highlands Park FC.

And there are still eight more league matches to go.

Kapini reckons his team's poor performance is not entirely his fault.

The former Highlanders (Zimbabwe), Silver Stars - now known as Platinum Stars - and AmaZulu (all South Africa) says his backline is also to blame as they have not been protecting him.

"What killed us this season is that we had a few changes in defence from the one that played in the National First Division last season," Kapini told his club's website.

"That tampered with the quality at the back. (Augustine) Mbara, who was there all season during our NFD campaign, has now been paired with Eddie Ngalo in the heart of defence.

"That combination is struggling really badly. And, lest we forget, the club is new to this (Premiership football)," he said.

Highlands are rooted at the bottom of the Absa Premier Soccer League with 20 points from 22 matches.

The fear of relegation should spur them on, he believes.

"We don't want to go back to the NFD. We want to stay in the elite division. This team has what it takes to survive the axe with the remaining eight league matches," he added.