The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
FORGOTTEN FC Platinum midfielder Simon Shoko has set his sights on playing competitive football again, but admits the thought of hanging up his boots has haunted him constantly.
The 30-year-old suffered a career- threatening knee injury on June 8 during his maiden national team call-up ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia.
“I thought my career had come to an end, but I accepted it as something that was bound to happen.
“Sometimes we have to accept God’s plans, maybe He will be preparing us for tougher battles,” said the defensive linkman.
With his career currently in limbo due to the nature of his injury and given the fact that his contract expires in six days’ time, Shoko has found solace in the unlikeliest of places.
Home.
Rodwell Chinyengetere’s comeback story from a career-threatening injury back in 2012 right up to being crowned the best player in the top flight this year has come as motivation.
“He (Rodwell) suffered a more threatening injury than mine, but look at where he is now, “said Shoko.
“That alone is a great motivation for me and it keeps my hopes alive.
“I have made great strides in my recovery; as I can now train, run and I think by the time the season starts next year I would be fully recovered,” said the 30-year-old midfielder.
Shoko is one of the senior players at the platinum miners having spent six years with the club.
He believes having seen it all at the club, the league title was destined to come home to Zvishavane at some point and describes the feeling of watching his team reach the Promised Land as bitter sweet.
“I was confident that we would win the title eventually.
“Just look at the past six years; what we went through, the strides we made and how we came close so many times.
“That said, the last six months have been one of the toughest times of my career.
“There are times when I actually cried as I really wanted to be in the team and play an active role in bringing the trophy home,” added the FC Platinum midfielder.
Worse still, Shoko did not have many to turn to in his time of pain on the sidelines.
“What hurt the most was that from the very day I returned from the national team after sustaining the injury, not on a single day did I receive any compassion from Zifa.
“Sometimes being asked how you are feeling by the custodians of the game goes a long way.
“It’s not like I wanted money or anything like that, but since I got injured on national duty they could have at least shown some concern,” he said.
Despite feeling “dumped” by the national association, Shoko is indebted to the FC Platinum family.
“There came a time when I hated everything that had to do with football, but the FC Platinum family stood by me through it all.
“I will forever be greatly indebted to the club’s physiotherapist, Edgar Chibvunze. If it was not for him I could have called it quits but he helped keep my spirits up.
“The club as a whole also helped me out a lot during those trying times and I do not know how I will ever repay them,” said Shoko.
