CHUNGA STILL FEELS THE LOVE

Langton Nyakwenda

Zimpapers Sports Hub

MOSES Chunga is winding up his tour of Belgium and is expected back home this week.

Chunga regularly goes to Belgium at the invitation of his former club Eendracht Aalst and has been in Europe since November 10.

“I am still in Belgium, mopping up and I will back home soon,” Chunga told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.

On Sunday, Chunga had the pleasure of performing the ceremonial kick-off for the Aalst versus Club Lauwe match which ended 1-1.

The video, in which Chunga is filmed saluting thousands of supporters at Aalst’s home ground, has gone viral on social media.

“The match was awesome, though we drew 1-1.

“The kick-off brought back a lot of memories for me. It was a big day for me,” Chunga wrote on his Facebook page.

He spent four seasons at Eendracht Aalst before suffering a knee injury that would eventually force him out of the game.

It’s 32 years since Chunga left the Belgian club but he is still revered at Aalst.

“I feel so appreciated and honoured every time I come to Belgium,” wrote Chunga.

He also explained how he moved to Aalst in 1988 and paid tribute to Jan Wanderstein, the man who took him to Europe.

“It all started with a rumour,” Chunga wrote on his Facebook on November 16.“This is Jan Wanderstein, the man who made it all happen, the man who took me to Europe.

“The man who believed in my capabilities just after hearing about me from afar.

“In 1987, the Zimbabwe army won a spot in the army World Cup, which was played in Italy.

“Jan was present and was so impressed by the army team that he went to have a word or two with them. The players then told him that back home in Zimbabwe was a gem by the name of Moses Chunga.

“Jan travelled all the way from Europe to watch the young gem play, but unfortunately, I was out due to injury.

“He had to wait for about 3 weeks before he watched me play. The rest is history.

“This man was and is still my mentor. He is both a friend and a father figure. He taught me a lot of things, and I am forever grateful to him.”