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Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Soccer Star of the Year, Dennis Dauda, is hoping that the New Year will bring better fortunes after spending 2024 away from the public glare.
Dauda was crowned the local Premier Soccer League’s best player when he was with ZPC Kariba in 2014, and thereafter, the veteran defender has endured a decade of mixed fortunes.
Now 36, Dauda is clubless and hoping for one more dance on the Premiership stage.
He spent 2024 on the sidelines as he was recovering from an ailment in 2023.
A tuberculosis problem forced Dauda to leave Black Rhinos, but the defender is now back to full fitness and ready to bounce back.
He has so far been linked with Premiership side TelOne and Kwewe-based side Hardrock, who have been promoted into the Central Region Soccer League.
However, Dauda was coy about his next move when Zimpapers Sports Hub caught up with him.
“For now I can’t talk about the identity of my next club, but I have a number of options,” says Dauda.
In his finest year in the league, Dauda almost led ZPC Kariba to what would have been a historic Premiership title in their maiden season in 2014.
ZPC Kariba, then under the guidance of Saul Chaminuka, went into the last round needing a victory to win the championship title.
But they ended up finishing second behind then-defending champions Dynamos after suffering a 2-3 defeat by CAPS United at Gwanzura on the same day that Kalisto Pasuwa’s men rallied from behind to beat How Mine 2-1 across town at the National Sports Stadium.
“I still remember that season as if it was yesterday,” Dauda said.
In that season ZPC Kariba provided the top three on the 2014 Castle Soccer Stars calendar.
Goalkeeper Tendai Hove was the first runner-up, while veteran striker Limited Chikafa was the second runner-up.
After leaving ZPC Kariba in 2016, Dauda played for CAPS United and Black Rhinos before disappearing from the radar.
But he insists that he is still in the game.
“I am still around.
“My career has had its own ups and downs, but I enjoyed my ups more because there were too many good things that happened.
“There were some bad things that happened during my career, but I cannot talk about it now.
“It’s for another day. But I want to thank God for guiding me through.
He also opened up on his absence from the pitch.
“When I left Black Rhinos, I stopped playing due to a health issue.
“But I am okay now, and I am ready to make a return.” Many fans remember Dauda as a stylish centre back who rocked the local Premiership a decade ago.
He starred in a ZPC Kariba side that also had players such as Tawanda “Rambo” Munyanduri, Artwell Nyamiwa, Dexter Phiri, Pride Tafirenyika, Tawanda Nyamandwe, Norest Mukwezaramba, and Elvis Mwinga. Their gaffer Chaminuka was also voted the Coach of the Year for 2014.
Online Reporter