SOCCER: The tears of ZPC Kariba’s Pride

30 Nov, 2014 - 00:11 0 Views
SOCCER: The tears of ZPC Kariba’s Pride DADDY’S LITTLE ONES . . . Tafirenyika’s kids Kyle (left) and Malvern

The Sunday Mail

THE PREDATOR . . . Pride Tafirenyika in action for ZPC Kariba

THE PREDATOR . . . Pride Tafirenyika in action for ZPC Kariba

ZPC KARIBA midfielder Pride “Predator” Tafirenyika is heartbroken after missing out on the Soccer Star of the Year selection as well as the league title.

ZPC Kariba were 90 minutes away from clinching a historic league championship, needing just a draw to land the big one, but blew it all away when they lost 2-3 to Caps United at Gwanzura last Sunday.

The result handed the title to Dynamos, who dismissed How Mine 2-0 at the National Sports Stadium.

It was a Super Sunday that turned sour for Tafirenyika, who had also missed a glorious chance of gracing the Soccer Stars of the Year calendar 24 hours earlier due to a controversial rule that disqualifies a player with six or more yellow cards.

The 30-year-old creative midfielder was one of the best players on show in the just-ended campaign, hitting the levels that were always expected of him when he graduated at the famous Agatha Sheneti soccer academy a decade ago.

It can be argued that Tafirenyika was the best player in the league this year.

Now, as he looks back at the near-misses, Tafirenyika is distressed; he still cannot believe that the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is over and his ZPC Kariba are not the champions.

After the electricity was switched off last Sunday, most ZPC Kariba players withdrew into their shells and switched off their mobile phones.

Getting hold of Tafirenyika was a difficult task.

“After realising I was not eligible for the soccer stars, I strongly believed I would get consolation in the form of a first Premiership league title.

“Everyone in camp was convinced this was our moment. All that vanished after 90 minutes; it was painful, my brother, but we have to move on.

“Caps played their hearts out, their goalie Dubz (Tafadzwa Dube) was at his best and I am sure they had a point to prove . . . we could sense it. Remember most of the players in our team came from Makepekepe; so, this was bound to be some form of a grudge match,” he said.

After years of toiling without a PSL championship medal, in a career that began at the defunct Harare United, taking him to another defunct side Shooting Stars before featuring for Makepekepe and ZPC Kariba, Tafirenyika believed last Sunday was finally going to be his crowning moment.

DADDY’S LITTLE ONES . . . Tafirenyika’s kids Kyle (left) and Malvern

DADDY’S LITTLE ONES . . . Tafirenyika’s kids Kyle (left) and Malvern

In anticipation of the “crowning moment” the midfielder brought his wife Fungai and their two kids Malvern and Kyle to Gwanzura as he anticipated a historic after-match photo shoot.

“I brought my wife and kids to the stadium hoping to have pictures taken during our crowning moment, but that was not to be.

“That is soccer, brother, the feeling is unbearable and right now most of the players are broken,” said Tafirenyika, his voice breaking down as he struggled to control his emotions.

Tafirenyika’s contract runs out at the end of December, but the diminutive midfield dynamite is keen to extend his stay in the resort town of Kariba.

However, for now he is focusing on the upcoming Mbada Diamonds Cup, which will feature league champions DeMbare, Caps United, FC Platinum and his shaken side.

“We have to focus on the Mbada Diamonds Cup now; in football it is always good to accept defeat and move on.

“Fortunately, we have a number of veterans in our squad who are experienced enough to handle this situation. We desperately need this cup for consolation.”

Tafirenyika believes ZPC Kariba will have a strong chance of landing the big one next year if they manage to retain the bulk of the players who did business this campaign.

“If we come back with the same squad next year, add one or two, I am sure we will still be a force to reckon with. So, our supporters should not despair,” he said.

Despite failing to land a Soccer Star of the Year nomination, Tafirenyika reckons he won the war of proving his critics wrong.

The pint-sized midfielder was a rejuvenated engine, a consistent performer throughout the season, yet during the previous two years he had looked out of it.

THE SHOULDER . . . Tafirenyika’s wife Fungai has had a tough time comforting her husband

THE SHOULDER . . . Tafirenyika’s wife Fungai has had a tough time comforting her husband

Allegations of excessive boozing and indiscipline blighted his CV during his stint with Makepekepe between 2010 and 2013.

“Some of these allegations are exaggerated, people will always talk. But that inspired me also, as I played to prove that I am not finished.

“Injuries affected me at Caps and some people there no longer believed in my capabilities.”

After an uninspiring spell at Makepekepe Tafirenyika packed his bags midway last season and joined ZPC Kariba who were then coached by Jostein Mathuthu in Division One.

“Mathuthu welcomed me and made me believe in myself once again. We won promotion and here I am today back at my best.

“When coach Saul (Chaminuka) came at the beginning of the season, he instilled this sense of invincibility that we have . . . Bla Saul is one of the best football brains we have in the country,” said Tafirenyika.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds