Mutasa backs Mushure

DYNAMOS coach Lloyd Mutasa has revealed how he had to deal with an emotional Ocean Mushure after the DeMbare skipper went berserk upon missing out on the Soccer Star of the Year gong.

The 32-year-old Mushure had a stellar season for an average Dynamos side that punched above its weight, finishing an unexpected second, but he could not land the Soccer Star award which went to Rodwell Chinyengetere from champions FC Platinum.

Chinyengetere’s teammate Kevin Moyo was the first runner-up ahead of Mushure.

And the gifted Mushure, who possesses the proverbial cultured left foot, reacted angrily and only sobered up after Mutasa sat him down for a man-to-man talk.

The soft-spoken gaffer, who Dynamos players prefer to call “Father”, gave Mushure examples of yesteryear players, including Mutasa himself, who surprisingly failed to win the top award despite putting on top-drawer performances.

“At first Ocean was emotional, because this was his best season ever, but with time he came to terms after we told him that not all goes according to plan.

“I had to give him examples like me doing well in 1994 but only making the final XI and coming third in 1996 when most believed I had done enough to win the top award,” revealed Mutasa.

The 1996 Soccer Star of the Year award went to Stewart “Shutto” Murisa whose Caps United had won its second league title ever.

“Dynamos won all that was on offer minus the league in 1996 and that indicates how the league title can give advantage to a player coming from the champions.

“This is what we told Ocean and I am happy he has come to terms and life has to move on,” said Mutasa.

The Dynamos coach believes Mushure has matured with age and foresees the former Monomotapa and Motor Action star going the extra yard in the 2018 season.

“He (Mushure) keeps himself well off the field and he is getting better with age like wine.

“He is a well-disciplined player of sober habits who speaks his mind and interacts well with colleagues.

“Mushure is very influential at Dynamos because he leads from the front on and off the field, giving direction to the youngsters,” said Mutasa.

Mushure led a poorly assembled Dynamos side in one of their most difficult seasons in terms of financial status.

A season in which many predicted the Harare giants would fight relegation.

He started the season at left back, before he was pushed to a more advanced role and scored nine goals to finish fifth on the top goalscorers list.

Last Tuesday, he got some form of consolation after he was crowned Dynamos’ Footballer of the Season.

“No doubt, this was Ocean’s best season ever as he came in with the highest number of assists and scored crucial goals for us, playing in positions as and when we needed his presence.

“And he did not disappoint,” added Mutasa.

“Samaita”, as Mutasa is also known, assembled a team from mostly unknown quantities and turned them into championship contenders but was beaten to the Coach of the Year award by title-winning gaffer Norman Mapeza.

Mutasa turned the youthful Peace Makaha into one of the best right backs in the league, groomed Tichaona Chipunza into a fierce defensive linkman and gave Mushure a new lease of life after pushing him into a left attacking position.

The Dynamos gaffer also threw unknown quantities Godfrey “Marabha” Mukambi and teenage left back Romario Matova into the deep end in the second half of the season.