The Sunday Mail
MICHAEL MHUTE, the Zimbabwean rookie with English rugby side Oswestry Eagles, has already faced so much adversity in his short life.
It’s a wonder the 19-year-old is able to wake up every morning to face another day.
After all, this is a kid whose promising rugby career almost suffered a still birth in 2009 when his headmaster at Banket Primary School nicked his scholarship money.
Seven years later, a dream move to England almost failed to materialise when he was denied a visa.
And in between these two events, he has been knocked unconscious during a rugby match, played through the pain of a stress fracture, and endured his worst performance in front of a packed National Sports Stadium.
All of which happened while wearing the esteemed Prince Edward Tigers jersey.
Through it all, it is faith that has pulled him through these dark days, starting from the infant years of his career at Banket Primary School right up his move to Prince Edward and then Oswestry.
“I come from a religious family, and in my times of hardship I usually turn to the bible,” said the winger. One of the lessons I have learnt is that everything happens for a reason and every misfortune that has befallen me was all part of God’s master plan.”
He once again had to draw on his reserves of faith when Mhute came face-to-face with the loss of a his father, retired police Sergeant Cosmas Mhute, who was involved in a hit and run accident a fortnight ago.
The alleged culprit is in court.
“My father recently passed away and it has been hard to be honest with you,” said Mhute. “He has been one of my biggest supporters, and it was one of his last wishes that I take my rugby career as far as my dreams can take it.
“The only solace I take from his passing, is that at least he managed to live long enough to see me take my first steps to the big leagues. I have been here for about a month now, and we talked almost every day when I first arrived,” he said.
Owing to a slew of factors, mainly financial and school commitments, he failed to attend his father’s burial.
“All my thoughts and prayers have been directed at my mum (Eunice). She is a strong woman and I know she will pull through, but I really wish I could be with her right now,” he said.
Mhute paid tribute to his father last weekend, scoring two tries in the Eagles 27-21 victory over Garstang – earning himself the man-of-the-match award.
There are no prizes for guessing that he dedicated that award to his late dad.
“His dream was for me to turn professional, and from this point onwards that is the goal. Whether that leads me to a Sables or Red Lions call up, only God knows, but my goal in life now is to take my career as far as it can go,” he said.
