Are the football gods fair?

Curtworth Masango

Have you ever thought about how many young footballers missed showcasing their talent on the biggest stage? An excess of challenges stand in the way of these youngsters.

Even what seems to be the smallest challenges like failure to own a pair of football boots can be very detrimental in defining one’s football career.

That has been the case with 18-year-old Emmanuel Saidi, the versatile midfielder now in the hands of Yadah Stars.

Just like many footballers before him, Saidi started his career in the dusty streets of Mbare where he had a dance with Catholic Faith Academy before Albert Tshuma took him to PE Academy.

From PE Academy, he then joined Yadah Stars in April where he signed a contract up to June 2024.

Saidi’s story is one of courage and determination.

He said football had changed his life and that alone is pushing him to achieve more.

“My background was a difficult one. It was difficult for me to get myself a pair of football boots as my mother couldn’t afford them,” Saidi told H-Metro.

“I was pushing myself with the hope of breaking into the top-flight, which I achieved, but it was not an easy journey.

“In so many ways, I think God intervened and sent guardian angels to uplift me. If you look at how certain people came into my life, you would agree that they were God-sent.

“PE academy coach, Norman Taruvinga, at some point would buy me football boots to help me compete with others. Many others came to assist me,” he said.

The teenager believes football has positively impacted his life and changed him for the better.

“Football has made such a positive impact on my life. From Mbare, I moved into the Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls. The change of environment was abrupt for me.

“Some of my friends and age mates are now hooked onto drugs, and who knows what could have become of me had it not been for football.

“I have also learnt a lot from Prophet Magaya on and off the field. The big lesson is to focus on working extra hard and wait for the dividends,” he said.

Saidi said he is now focusing on improving as a player, and even try his luck in foreign leagues.

“I believe that through hard work, I can achieve my ambitions.”