The Sunday Mail
MOSES MUCHENJE might be many things, but he is not a man marker.
Moses Muchenje
Caps United have been using him as one.
The midfielder can play several roles but being a leader is not one of them.
Makepekepe have appointed him interim skipper.
Muchenje’s appointment – at a time when he was not even commanding a starting XI place – appears a compromise choice aimed at bringing unity into a heavily fissured dressing room.
The midfielder was nicknamed Supplier by other kids when he played junior football because of his ability to find a pass where there appeared to be none.
While other midfielders went wide or played the back pass when faced with a defensive wall, Muchenje always seemed to find the hole that others could not see.While others craved the ecstasy that comes with scoring a goal, Muchenje got his orgasm from setting up that goal.
“Next time you won’t score if you don’t pay tribute to the supplier,” Muchenje would often joke as the goal scorer wheeled away in self-praise after a match. He is yet to develop into player many expected him to evolve into, but he is still a decent proposition.
With the ball at his feet and teammates who know how to “show”, a reference to running in anticipation of a pass, Muchenje can be deadly.
The boy has tonnes of confidence too, he doesn’t shy away from trying the audacious no matter the occasion.
He once found himself in trouble with the Makepekepe supporters after an attempt to do a Panenka – a delicately chipped penalty that is usually directed at the centre of goal – went horribly wrong during the Mbada Diamond semi-final against How Mine at the National Sports Stadium in 2013.
The Panenka, first done by Czech footballer Antonín Panenka at Euro ‘76, works when the goalkeeper dives away from the centre.
On that day Ephraim Mazarura did not move and made the easiest penalty save of his life.
Mazarura was the hero, Muchenje looked silly and Makepekepe lost the match. Getting Muchenje out of the game is easy too. The former Gunners man doesn’t like it rough and tough. There is something of the delicate in him.
Muchenje was anonymous in his debut Harare derby against Dynamos and hardman Steven Alimenda kicked and marked the Caps United midfielder out of the game. It’s surprising that a man who views himself as a footballing artiste is being asked to be an artisan who breaks down opposition plays.
The send a thief to catch a thief mantra could be the explanation but the cloning process hasn’t worked at all.
Muchenje is not a marker, he is not a grafter. He is, instead, the man who has to be marked, the artiste who thrives on pulling the strings while the others sweat it out away from the limelight.
Now with the Caps United armband resting on his bicep, the midfielder must show what he is made of.
Muchenje will also have to deal with a divided dressing room that has a clique strongly aligned to former captain Hardlife Zvirekwi and heavily opposed to Mark Mathe’s continued stay as coach. Zvirekwi has been a good sport, backing his former Gunners teammate to shine despite the added weight of the armband.
“I have known him for some years now, ever since our days at Gunners and I believe he will be a fantastic captain for the club,” said Zvirekwi who got stripped off the armband following a fall-out during the Chibuku Super Cup penalty loss to ZPC Kariba.
Muchenje can’t risk being a non-playing captain as was the case with Tsungi Mudzamiri or Murape Murape at Dynamos last season.
The skipper has to lead from the front. And Muchenje knows it.
“It is such an honour to be the captain of a big team like Caps United but I acknowledge this comes with a huge responsibility,” he said.
“This armband has been worn by such greats as Joe ‘Kode’ Mugabe, Silver Chigwenje, Joel Shambo and the like so this history gives me pressure to maintain its value.
“I have to lead in a good manner. I am not overawed but sometimes I have had to seek advice from some senior players in the squad like Leonard Tsipa, Steven Makatuka and Hardlife Zvirekwi.
“We just have to pull in the same direction and be consistent on the field of play, results will come. I thank God for this appointment and I am sure He will guide me through.”
