The Sunday Mail
Deputy Sports Editor
FOR those that have spent so much as a minute with Zimbabwe Women’s Sevens vice captain Constance Ngwende, they are bound to know that one of her stand-out features is an “infectious smile”, especially when a discussion on rugby comes up.
It is a feature that has been alien to her for the last eight or so months, not since the 23-year-old suffered what was initially feared to be a career-ending injury during Zimbabwe’s participation at the Africa Cup Sevens tournament in Tunisia last October.
The incident is still a bit hazy for the Lady Cheetahs scrum-half.
“All I remember is retrieving the ball from the scrum and the next thing is I had been tackled and was lying on the ground.
“The opposing player (from South Africa) fell on my leg with her entire weight and I heard a twitch,” she said.
Ngwende, affectionately known as Kadiki in the domestic rugby circles, fractured her right leg and went through all stages of grief, all the while fearing that her career was over.
“The weeks and months after the injury were tough for me as this was arguably the worst injury of my career,” said the 23-year-old.
“I couldn’t do anything by myself; I needed help doing ordinary tasks.
“I spent most of my time in bed because I was afraid to get up and risk either getting injured again or aggravate my injury.
“I spent something like six weeks with a cast, and did nothing, but rest.
“That weakened my body and mind. I later decided to go back to work as staying at home became frustrating and depressing.”
After the bargaining, anger and depression, her moment of acceptance came last December, when Kadiki was nominated for two awards at the end of year Zimbabwe Rugby Awards ceremony.
“I was named Best Backline and Best Player of the Year (ladies), and the awards came during my lowest point.
“I had lost hope of ever playing again, but the recognition restored it all.
“I decided to give it another go and put some time into rehabilitation with Abigail Munikwa (physiotherapist), who took me for sessions both in the water and on the field,” she said.
Now, Kadiki is all smiles again as she readies for her big return.
“The current prognosis on my injury is that I am well on my way to full recovery.
“In fact, I am almost there.”
Kadiki has been fortunate enough not to have missed much as the Covid-19 pandemic has put a stop to all sport around the world.
That, however, hasn’t stopped the Lady Cheetahs vice captain from yearning for more.
“Life without rugby has been hard, and everyone has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Yes, we can do our workouts at home and try to stay fit, but it will never be the same as being out there on the field together.
“I miss training with my teammates, who are my family, and the camaraderie that comes with having them around, laughing, sharing jokes and having fun while training.
“That can never be replicated.
“This lockdown has taught me the importance of family, or those you consider family, and how we should learn to love and appreciate each other.
“After all, no one knows what tomorrow brings,” she said.
