Archford Gutu

Archford Gutu is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. Gutu is one of the few players to have played for both Dynamos Harare and CAPS United in Zimbabwe, and he has won championships with both teams: with Dynamos in 2011 and with Caps United in 2016. Between times Gutu played in Sweden for Kalmar FF and IFK Varnamo between 2012 and 2015. Internationally Gutu played for the Zimbabwe National Team at all levels. He is currently the director of Archford Gutu Football Academy in Zimbabwe.

Club career

Early career

Gutu joined South Africa's Ajax [Cape Town F.C.|Ajax Cape Town] in 2009 on a three-year deal, but failed to make a single appearance in the Premier Soccer League due to registration rules, because he was still a minor then. On September 1, 2010, he decided to terminate his contract with Ajax.

Dynamos Harare

On September 25, 2010, Gutu returned to Zimbabwe and signed with Dynamos Harare. He made his first appearance for Dynamos on November 4, 2010, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 win against Monomotapa United. Gutu scored his first Dynamos goal in 2010 derby match against rivals Caps United in a BancABC Super8 Cup Final win and he was the man of the match. On February 28, 2011, he scored two goals in Dynamos' 3–2 victory over CAPS United in the Bob Super Cup Final. Dynamos went on to win double: the 2011 League title and the inaugural Mbada Diamonds Cup. During his stay at Dynamos, Gutu was one of the club's top players before signing for Kalmar FF in Sweden.

Kalmar FF

On September 20, 2011, Swedish club Kalmar FF confirmed that they had reached a deal with Dynamos Harare regarding Gutu, as of January 1, 2012, he would go on a six-month loan to Kalmar with Pape Diouf from Dakar UC, Senegal. On March 14, 2012, Kalmar FF announced that they had decided to purchase both Gutu and Diouf before Allsvenskan had started, on a four-year deal

International career

Youth teams

Gutu was capped by Zimbabwe at under-17, under-20, and under-23 levels. He was part of the team that won the 2007 COSAFA Under-20 Cup in South Africa, following which he flew to Namibia to join and captain the Zimbabwe Under-17 team that won the 2007 COSAFA Under-17 Cup. In 2007, Gutu was among the Young Sportsmen of the Year nominees.

Senior team

Gutu won the COSAFA Cup with the Zimbabwe National Team as host in the 2009 tournament. Gutu was part of the Zimbabwe National Team squad that played 2011 [African Nations Championship] in Sudan. He scored in the second game of the group stages to help Zimbabwe beat Ghana, 1–0.