The Sunday Mail
NO ONE prays like Ronald Chitiyo at Dynamos. In a team that is slowly becoming highly religious, thanks to the influence of coach Kallisto Pasuwa, the DeMbare players disclose that Chitiyo has turned into a prayer warrior over the past few months.
“He prays even at midnight when we are supposed to be sleeping. While others will be loading food a day before a game, he will be fasting. If you share a room with him you have to be prepared to be asked to pray at odd hours,” disclosed a Dynamos player.
As the lances zoom on him following last week’s wonder goal against Shabanie Mine and the impending NetOne OneWallet final, Chitiyo credits his rediscovered form to his improved relationship with the Almighty. The midfielder, who started life at Dynamos on a high before retreating into a shell mid season, is slowly getting back into his groove and last week scored a beauty of a goal.
With the match seemingly meandering towards a share of the spoils, Chitiyo picked the ball on the left channel, outpaced his marker and let go a curling screamer which gave Victor Twaliki, in goals for the visitors, no chance.
The goal made sure Pasuwa’s men remained at the summit of the standings as the title race heads for a thrilling climax.
While most of the talk naturally focuses on the magic he unleashed for Dynamos on the field of play, the former Monomotapa midfielder has developed and follows a strict prayer routine which sees him waking up for midnight prayers as well as fasting when in camp.
“Yes, it’s true I always pray and also try to encourage others in the team to do likewise. It’s something that comes from the fact that I grew up in an environment full of Christians and that is exactly what we do at home. Even discipline is something that we attach a lot of value to at home and it is what has carried me this far,” said the 22-year-old.
Chitiyo’s routine augurs well with his coach Kallisto Pasuwa, who is a devout Mupostori.
Just recently, fellow coaches who attended a CAF A coaching license were fascinated by the record breaking coach’s fasting routine.
While some of his peers tend to make headlines for the wrong reasons, Chitiyo’s has shown a lot of discipline, which can go a long way in unlocking international doors for him.
“A footballer can never be satisfied and I can’t be an exception.
“I am obviously targeting to take my game to the next stage and when you are playing for a big club like Dynamos the next stage you can only dream of is to go international.
“But for now I am under no illusion as to what the immediate target is. I want to win as much silverware as possible with Dynamos because it is these trophies that boost a player’s profile.
“I am happy with my performance so far this season but there is room for improvement and hopefully the coaches will continue showing confidence in me,” said the player who started his career with the Dynamos juniors under the eagle eye of Richard Chihoro, who is now first team manager.
He has previously undergone trials at ABSA premiership club Ajax Cape Town, where he did not do enough to convince the club to give him a contract.
Chitiyo has played an integral part in Dynamos’ good run, starring in a midfield that has been hard hit by injuries.
Their major signing of the season, Masimba Mambare has had a season to forget in which a knee injury restricted his progress after joining from bitter rivals Highlanders while reigning Castle Lager Soccer Star of the year Tawanda Muparati has also struggled with a nagging injury.
The skilful midfielder will today come face to face with his former boss, Biggie Zuze, under whom he thrived at Monoz.
Chitiyo, if selected as is widely expected, will also have to pit his skills against former teammates Charles Rukwanhi, Jimmy Tigere and Praise Tonha, who moved from Monoz to Triangle at the start of the season.
