The Sunday Mail
TATENDA Mukuruva is one lucky boy.
Just how does one produce the inexcusable howlers he tortured us with during the Young Warriors’ 0-3 defeat away to South Africa last weekend and escape a lashing?
Mukuruva — a highly rated goalkeeper, who is the Dynamos number one, Young Warriors number one and Warriors number one — had a stinker at the Harry Gwala Stadium on the night of August 1.
Two of the goals we conceded can be blamed on him. It’s a mystery he hasn’t been taken to task for such a horror show.
He must be walking around thinking everything is normal.
Well it’s not!
Clearly, the young man’s head is not as cool as it was before that blockbuster show in the Warriors 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier victory away to Malawi.
Mukuruva was rightly touted as the hero of that show in Blantyre with his baby face gracing the pages of every newspaper.
In interviews after the Malawi heroics, the Dynamos goalkeeper vowed to keep his feet on the ground and stay focused while continuing to work hard.
When it comes to humility, Mukuruva is well-mannered and full of respect. However, his focus appears to have shifted a bit and for a 20-year old, that is normal.
Does he continue pursuing a promising football career or it’s time he takes up an offer from the United States universities that are ready to offer him a scholarship?
There were signs Mukuruva’s game was dipping during DeMbare’s 1-all draw with Highlanders at Barbourfields two weeks ago.
He fluffed his lines on countless occasions but some alert defending, especially from Sydney Linyama, spared him the blushes.
Sadly, there was no Sydo in South Africa.
Someone needs to sit Mukuruva down and tell the lad to roll up his sleeves and work even harder.
With Artwell Mukandi and Tonderai Mateyaunga doing very little to stake a claim for the number one jersey at Dynamos, the young goalie has to compete against himself.
He is talented no doubt, but he is not the complete article yet.
The situation Mukuruva finds himself in is similar to the one being experienced by Chris Mverechena at Caps United. The rookie goalie has been churning out some error-strewn shows and is unrecognisable from the lad who had Caps United supporters calling for his inclusion in the national team just a few weeks ago.
Mverechena is dropping routine collections and was to blame for the goal that sank Makepekepe in the 0-1 defeat to Harare City.
If urgent action is not taken, Mukuruva and Mverechena will go the Farai Mupasiri route — sparkle for a while then fade into irrelevance.
Mupasiri charmed the DeMbare faithful with a couple of goals and was even handed the iconic number seven shirt.
His career plummeted and the striker is an unwanted man at the champions. He is always on the transfer list.
All this makes one wonder if these guys who are involved in the trading of players are worthy to be called player managers.
What do they manage, the player or his money?
Mahachi taking us for a ride
Gibson Mahachi is a good guy, a good player manager — too — I’m told.
However, the guy speaks in riddles when it comes to Kallisto Pasuwa and his relationship with Zifa.
Mahachi has been offering subtle threats about Pasuwa leaving the Warriors but nothing concrete has come out of the mouth of the record-breaking mentor.
If Pasuwa doesn’t want the headache of dealing with Zifa and the terrible twins — Jonathan Mashingaidze and Xolisani Gwesela — he should just come out and say so.
We won’t stone him like Stephen, he served the nation well but Zifa messed him up just like they have done with the rest of the nation.
Pasuwa is a good guy in a bad job.
Va Shagare exits the scene.
VaShagare is the founder of DeMbare DotComs and can be contacted on that Facebook page as well as the email [email protected]
