The Sunday Mail
RODRECK MUTUMA has declared that he is the best striker in the land and has dismissed as street talk suggestions that he made the wrong decision to join Dynamos’ ultimate enemy Caps United.
The temperamental striker, whose questionable discipline has been cited as the main reason why DeMbare’s new coach David “Yogi” Mandigora dropped him from his 2015 plans, crossed the Great Divide last week.
He has faced a barrage of attacks from angry DeMbare fans who have called him all sorts of names on the streets and on various social media fora for his decision to join their fiercest rival.
Mutuma, a prince in the DeMbare kingdom until a few days ago when he swapped the blue shirt for the green jersey, has vowed to prove his critics wrong by putting up brilliant shows for Caps United starting with today’s newly inaugurated Sino-Zim Cup.
“It is no secret DeMbare made me who I am today and I have great respect for the institution, but in life not all people will love you or respect your decisions, some will obviously hate you, but that does not make you totally bad.
“I do not care about what the DeMbare coaches think about my discipline, every player has his own weaknesses and what I can boldly declare is that I am the best striker in Zimbabwe.
“I will prove it once again this season, in Makepekepe colours, that I am the best finisher. The previous coach at DeMbare trusted my capabilities, even when my discipline was questionable as they say . . . after all does that make me that bad,” said a fired-up Mutuma.
Despite emerging as DeMbare’s joint leading scorer last year with six goals, having also started the season midway, Mandigora did not include Mutuma in his plans for 2015 and the gangly striker immediately crossed the floor to join Caps United.
A lot of critics have questioned the wisdom of Mutuma’s decision to join Caps United — a team that has struggled financially for almost a decade and hasn’t won the league title since 2005.
They say Mutuma has made a few steps back in his career and they contend he will forever miss DeMbare’s glamour. But the over-confident and sometimes arrogant striker, who plainly declared his eternal respect for DeMbare as an institution, had no kind words for his critics.
“It is all about my life, my wife Paidamoyo Jean Ncube and the baby we are expecting.
“I never made this move to hurt anyone, it was purely about my welfare.
“After all, the only difference between Caps United and Dynamos is that one wears green and the other blue, but in terms of class and play, there is no gap.
“What Makepekepe needed was a sponsor and we have it now so fans should expect goals and more goals.
“I am vindicated, I made the right decision to join Caps United at a time they are beginning to turn a new leaf.
“You know, I had this feeling that something would happen at Makepekepe this season. I must thank God for showing me the way, I am 100 percent sure I will not regret this decision. Everything has been good so far, zvinhu zviri kufamba, mudhara.
“It has been an amazing week for me, I have been mobbed in the streets, and Makepekepe fans are treating me like a real prince. My phone has been busy since I moved to Caps with fans showering me with praises while some also give me a few bucks,” said Mutuma.
Something is always expected from a temperamental Mutuma whenever he steps onto the pitch and today’s fixture against his former paymasters could be a test in his new life at Makepekepe.
“There will be no emotions attached on Sunday (today), yes it is a derby, the biggest fixture in Zimbabwean football but I have played in so many of these before and know how to handle them.
“Just like what I did at DeMbare, fans should expect goals and more goals. Makepekepe want glory this season and the job should begin with the Sino-Zim Cup,” said Mutuma who also made another vow.
He will not celebrate whenever he scores against DeMbare.
