By Sheldon Hakata

PHINEAS BHAMUSI has turned the fortunes of Triangle United FC in the local Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) 2018 season which comes down this Sunday at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
Tongaat Hullets-sponsored Triangle ended the season on fourth position with 56 points, just one behind third-placed Chicken Inn.
However, there is a gem in Triangle called Bhamusi who is famed for his breathtaking ball-handling skills and creative play.
He is a serious contender for the PSL best 11.
The midfielder inspired his team to a 2-0 victory over Harare City at Gibbo Stadium in the Chibuku Super Cup final.
Triangle pocketed US$75 000 for their efforts before a bumper crowd at home.
The victory earned the team a ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup next year.
But many ask, who is this small miniature, fast-paced player?
Bhamusi was born on December 29 1990 at Mutare Hospital to Amimo Bhamusi and Selina Mapati.
His career bagan in the dusty streets of Mutare where he grew up playing ‘chikweshe’ with other young boys in the hood.
This talent was to be nurtured in 2009 when he turned out for Mutare United.
It is the same team which former CAPS United left-back Size Torindo was signed from back then in the 1980s.
But the fast-paced young man blossomed when he played alongside Silas Songani and Talent Chawapiwa at Harare City.
He was to gain a nickname ‘Chihuta’ when he joined CAPS United in 2014 because of his untiring work-rate on the field of play.
Bhamusi even made it into the CAF Champions League’s best 11 of the week when CAPS United progressed into the group stages in 2017.
He was banging in important goals for his side then.
His career has been a roller-coaster as he found his footing this season with Triangle United.
At a glance, one would think Bhamusi, this season, was there to make numbers for Triangle but instead, he turned the fortunes of the ‘Sugar Sugar Boys’ with 56 points.
The player, who wears jersey number ‘24’, has the most audacious burst of pace and has one of the most clinical finishing the game has ever seen.
The tiny attacking midfielder’s combination of speed, skill and ‘dangerous’ crosses makes him a marvel to watch.
He uses this to his advantage and this has worked well such that even top teams like Zamalek know of the dynamo package the pin-sized attacking midfielder possesses.
He is a CAPS United and Chelsea FC football fan in his own right, he says.
“Game time is very important for any football player who wants to develop and aim higher in his profession and do best,” said Bhamusi in an interview with Patriot Sport.
“I started in eight of the Champions League matches while at CAPS United, which was a great experience.”
Bhamusi has proved too good for any defender, never mind his small stature.
He follows in the footsteps of other great CAPS United players like speedy striker Charlie ‘Kabhasikoro’ Jones and Basil Chisopo of the Super League era.
In 2016, Bhamusi won the club’s Player-of-the-Year award in the PSL.
Coaches moved him to forward and allowed him to play an aggressive style of offence; attacking, creating opportunities and scoring goals.
Having played in the CAF Champions League under CAPS United, the diminutive attacker has his focus on the African jungle once again, but now with Triangle United.
“The competition in the African safari is quite tough, but with hard work we can pull through” said Bhamusi.
The CAPS United experience in the CAF Champions League, when they reached the group stages by knocking out TP Mazembe, remains a great feat for Bhamusi.
FC Platinum, Harare City and Ngezi Platinum Stars have represented the country in the same competition in previous editions.
Unfortunately, they never went far.
If Bhamusi maintains his current form, it’s a big plus for Triangle United.
They might even go beyond the stage CAPS United reached in the African safari.
With players like Bhamusi, Lameck Nhamo, captain Ralph Kawondera, seasoned crunchy defender Arnold Chivheya and others, Triangle United has put up a solid performance in the PSL.
In the Chibuku Super Cup final, Harare City defenders were kept on their toes by Bhamusi exploits.
Right from the start, the midfielder meant business.
Bhamusi was on target, scoring a minute from full time, finishing off a resilient Harare City side.
Triangle United opened the scoreline through captain Kawondera when he headed home a Russel Madamombe cross in the 59th minute.
Harare City’s Raymond Uchena and his defence partners possibly had one of their busiest afternoons in ‘office’.
The deadly trio of mercurial Bhamusi, Nhamo and Dynamos reject Madamombe was a marvel to watch.
Not only does the former Mutare United forward, who joined Triangle this season from CAPS United, dream of playing for the national team, he also wants to be on the 2018 soccer stars calendar.
No doubt things shaped up for Bhamusi at Triangle United.
Despite missing out on the PSL title, Triangle United won the Chibuku Super Cup after beating Harare City 2-0 at Gibbo Stadium.
While the league campaign has virtually ended, Bhamusi and team still have one small matter to settle.
They meet the PSL champions FC Platinum on Sunday in the Castle Cup at Mandava Stadium.
The Castle Cup is a one-off match which pits the league champions and Chibuku Super Cup winners.
The winners of the match will walk away with US$30 000 while the losers pocket US$20 000.