Dennis Dauda lost in translation

Sports Editor
DEFENDER Dennis Dauda insists his Facebook post, just two hours before Caps United’s 0-2 defeat away to Yadah Stars midweek, was misinterpreted.

The 29-year-old posted a statement that was ambiguous at best and bewildering at worst, as Makepekepe prepared to face a team owned by Dauda’s “spiritual father” Prophet Walter Magaya at Morris Depot on Tuesday. “Tuday we are playng against my father’s team I wil do my best so that my father wil b proud of mi we want a win nomater wat team,” Dauda wrote on Facebook before going on to play a stinker for Makepekepe.

The 2014 Soccer Star of the Year was the captain on the day. He put on a horrendous show and in the aftermath of Caps United’s defeat at the hands of a Yadah side that is struggling for form, accusations of Dauda aiding Magaya’s team while wearing the green of Caps erupted.The champions moved swiftly to transfer list him.

Caps chief executive Cuthbert Chitima described Dauda’s Facebook post as “reckless” and urged clubs who were interested in the player to approach his office. Interestingly, Yadah were first in line – and Dauda could make his debut for them this afternoon. “This is football, I am moving on and if my papers get processed on time I will play for Yadah against Highlanders,” said the defender.So what did he mean in his Facebook post?

“You see, that message had its own meaning which is different from the one that people attached to it,” Dauda told The Sunday Mail Sport. “There are people who are saying that I meant that I will help Yadah win but that is not the case. It was just a message meant to say that even though we are playing against a team owned by the prophet and we had not been paid for some time we would still go out there and seek a win.

“It’s just unfortunate that I went on to have a bad game but those who know me will testify that I would never play below par on purpose. “Hours before that game we had a heated meeting with Willard Manyengavana and Mordecai Sachikonye (Caps board members) and with Hardy (Zvirekwi) not in the team I fought for the players.

“To be honest I wasn’t in the right frame of mind and it showed on the pitch. I cannot change what happened, what I can only do is focus on my next step and wish Caps United well.”