dyton mupawaenda
Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter
SOCCER Star of the Year Qadr Amini has opened up on a bruised past.
The Ngezi Platinum Stars captain was born and raised under the Muslim religion and encountered all sorts of bullying and abuse in his childhood.
The 33-year-old star recalls being called all sorts of names during his primary school days.
At some point, the bullying would force him to skip school.
“It was not easy; you know the myths that surround our religion…almost daily I had to deal with a different bullying case to an extent of having to skip school on some days,” he recalls.
“With age, I contemplated abandoning my religion but my parents had to civilly intervene, they made me understand people for who they truly are and never allow them to change me.
“I started creating friendships with older boys, I felt they were a bit mature, they would understand me better and it worked out.”
His adulthood was also not spared.
Amini also had to endure some sad chapters in his adulthood.
The experiences, he believes, shaped him into a resilient character who has been able to hold his leadership roles with ease.
Amini captained Ngezi Platinum to the Castle Lager Premiership to secure a ticket to the African Safari for the Mhondoro side.
After starting the season on a slow note, Madamburo as they are affectionately known were at some point along the way under immense pressure.
Ordinarily, under such situations, the skipper would be the easiest target of the paymasters and the fans’ spit.
However, Amini would always wear his smile like it was a medal of honor and steadily lead his charges.
He became the main man for his crosses from the left channel which were a constant danger for opponents.
The gifted left footer would score crucial goals for his side, holding the fort as they regained composure and kept up the momentum.
Amini believes that the resilience he gained during the time that he survived bullying helped him drive Ngezi success.
“I learnt how to deal with situations and how to maintain my cool in situations and this is how I have led the guys,” he said.
“I believe that this is how we emerged the ‘most disciplined team’ of the year; we learnt that a player should be exemplary both on and off the pitch.”
At home, Amini has also been a resolute husband and father.
He stole the show at the Soccer Stars’ awards night recently when he made a public appearance with his two wives Esther Master and Millicent Museta.
As usual, he was calm and proudly wore his trademark wide smile.
“I love the way they have grown to be friends and business partners, they are inseparable and do literally everything together,” said Amini, about his wives.
“I recall the day I introduced them to each other, we were in a restaurant and I did not know what to expect but they understood me and it worked out.
“I have gone through emotional challenges in the past but they brought me peace, they are always there for me, we are transparent in our triangle and I love them equally.”
However, a fortnight after making news, the skipper was again on the spotlight, and this time, for the ‘wrong’ reasons.
Karen Moyanah, mother to his six-year-old son, publicly claimed that Amini had been neglecting his child for years.
In his chat with Zimpapers Sports, he would ordinarily have been expected to panic.
Yet-as usual, he maintained his calmness.
He still has fresh memories of the time that Moyanah ditched him, allegedly for being broke.
“In her exact words she said ‘urirombe, unofunga kuti bhora rinokusvitsa kupi?’; so I let her be,” he starred in the air, deep in thought.
“I tried to explain to her my vision but she humiliated me.
“Despite all that, I make sure that my child is well provided but I do not understand why every time something good comes my way she just pops up with wild accusations like that.
“I pay maintenance every month, I pay my son’s school fees and also add extra cash…”
Online Reporter