Dauda rises from deathbed back to the pitch

Veronica Gwaze

Zimpapers Sports Hub

FOOTBALLER Dennis Dauda’s bright smile and bold energy make it hard to believe the pain he has gone through; a story of survival few could imagine.

Two years ago, he never thought he would live this long, let alone play topflight football again.

From deteriorating health and a tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis to months bedridden and later confined to a wheelchair, the 2014 Soccer Star finalist had ruled himself out of the game.

Getting in and out of hospital became routine as he fought to stay alive.

Along the way, he endured the harsh side effects of treatment and the stigma that often comes with the illness.

“Now, I live each day as if it’s my last one because I have a lot to be grateful for,” Dauda said. “I make sure I’m stress-free and put in an extra shift in my football as I celebrate another chance at life.”

Now 36, Dauda is turning out for newly promoted Premier Soccer League side Kwekwe United, where he is one of the pillars of a team struggling financially, but rich in experience.

Kwekwe United boast familiar names like Allan Gadzikwa, Masimba Mambare, Kenneth Pasuwa, team manager Limited Chikafa and seasoned gaffer Saul Chaminuka.

With that depth, Dauda, still building back to full fitness, has to fight for his place in the lineup.

After their recent goalless draw against Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium, where he played the full 90 minutes, Dauda opened up about his long road back.

He recalled the gruelling phase before his diagnosis, months of unexplained symptoms and tests that failed to detect TB.

In early 2023, he struggled to eat, lost weight rapidly and was constantly out of breath. Night sweats left him drenched in his sleep, and he could no longer keep up in training.

“I couldn’t run even the shortest distance or eat properly. At first I didn’t take it seriously until two months later when I decided to get medical help,” he said.

“They ran tests, but couldn’t find anything. I became confused and even tried traditional medicine, but nothing worked. Life at home was tough. Football is all I know, and when I wasn’t playing, it meant no income and no food.”

It was only after a second hospital visit that TB was finally diagnosed, and Dauda began treatment immediately.

For the first six months, he was bedridden. Later, he could only move around in a wheelchair.

Well-wishers, including respected football administrator Edward Mutukwa and his former club Black Rhinos, stepped in to help him through his ordeal.

“When I finally could walk again, they’d invite me to Gweru for their home games. That helped me cope mentally,” he said.

“They’d pick me up in Kwekwe and drop me off on their way back to Harare. Looking back, had it not been for that support, maybe I wouldn’t have made it this far.”

During recovery, Dauda ventured into buying and selling cellphones, a trade he learned from a friend.

“I had to look beyond my situation. I stepped out of my comfort zone just to put food on the table,” he said. “I also made sure I fully adhered to my treatment, I never missed a dose in six months. That’s how I got back on my feet.”

In 2024, Dauda began light workouts to regain fitness, starting each day with a 6am jog, followed by football drills and gym sessions to rebuild strength.

At the beginning of this year, he joined Kwekwe United, where he continues to revive his career and inspire others.

His story is a testament to Zimbabwe’s strides in fighting TB and a reminder of the importance of early detection and support.

Despite the stigma still associated with the disease, Dauda is proud to share his journey.

“The experiences made me stronger. The TB journey requires mental strength and resilience because stigma and discrimination are still out there,” he said. Sometimes it comes from the least expected places. That’s why I’m open to sharing and even helping others who may find themselves in a similar position.”

Dauda reflected on the personal habits he had to abandon.

“I used to smoke shisha a lot; I had become addicted,” he revealed. “My plea to other players is to avoid such habits before they ruin their health.”