The Sunday Mail
Makomborero Mutimukulu
Sports Editor
If his head were a computer central processing unit the guys from IT would tell you the boy needs some software upgrade.
Dynamos’controversial striker Rodreck Mutuma (left) is shown a red card by referee Ruzive Ruzive after kicking Highlanders’forward Ralph Matema during the Easycall Cup semi final at Barbourfields last Sunday – picture by Kudakwashe Hunda
RODRECK MUTUMA is a man of extremes, his best is brilliant, his worst awful.
There is no middle of the road for the Dynamos striker.
If his head were a computer central processing unit the guys from IT would tell you the boy needs some software upgrade.
The 27-year old striker has a proven history of malfunctioning when the heat is on.
The worst kept secret in local football is that Mutuma can be chided out of groove hence the opposition targets him with their mind games much more than any other Dynamos player.
Mental strength is something Mutuma lacks, just like dress sense.
Last weekend the gangly striker added another dreadful chapter to his book of misdemeanors as he was sent off for kicking at Highlanders striker Ralph Matema in an off the ball incident.
DeMbare coach Tonderayi Ndiraya described the most lethal striker on his roster as silly and stupid after the 1-2 Easycall Cup semi final defeat to a fired up Bosso.
“It was silly and stupid to do such a thing and we expect more from a senior player,” he said.
Ndiraya was clearly livid but the Dynamos coach and his technical team were complicit.
Signs that the gangster in Mutuma was about to explode were there to see long before referee Ruzive Ruzive – who had a very good game – flashed the red card in the 86th minute.
The most striking one was the moment when the striker got nut mugged by Bosso left back Bruce Kangwa and spent almost half a minute slapping the ground in frustration.
An alert technical department ought to have noted and addressed the situation but then again that DeMbare bench of Ndiraya, Gift Muzadzi and team manager Richard “Nyoka” Chihoro is too lightweight.
Ndiraya is a rookie, Muzadzi a goalkeeper’s coach and Chihoro is famed for special projects.
An on the pitch leadership vacuum also doesn’t help Mutuma and Dynamos.
DeMbare skipper Augustine Mbara does not inspire confidence; rarely do you see him descending on a teammate like a tonne of bricks in typical Murape Murape style.
In his head Mutuma believes he is the best thing to ever happen to DeMbare and without someone to constantly rein him in, especially on the pitch, the striker can easily stray into lunacy.
He is a dangerous striker who cannot be trusted with thinking for himself, he needs a leash – a very short one.
At school coaches are told there are players like that, short fused individuals who are talented enough to single handedly win games but also foolish enough to sink the whole ship in one stupid move.
They are special cases and Ndiraya knows Mutuma is one.
“He is different from the rest of the players that we deal with on an everyday basis in that he gets irritated easily like a child. Naturally what this means is it needs special skills to deal with his special case.
“As coaches we talk to him and try to emphasis the importance of good behavior in football but sometimes it all goes wrong like was the case against Highlanders last weekend.
“We also have fines that we impose on players if they cross the disciplinary line but in this case it gets to a stage where you think maybe the fines are not deterrent enough so maybe we need to review them,” he said.
One thing that DeMbare will not do, however, is to let Mutuma go.
He still remains their most potent striker with his love for the badge making him a rare breed at a club that used to be powered by players who had the passion of an ordinary fan.
Meanwhile, after a tough week Mutuma is looking ahead.“What happened, happened…it’s time to move ahead,” he said.
Hopefully he moves ahead with a cooler head.It doesn’t matter if it’s tinted or not, Mutuma desperately needs a cooler head.
