adminPROFESSIONAL football is an intense high-stakes industry.
It’s a brutal field where the footballers are under relentless pressure, from the fans and their managers, to always play at a certain high level.
Then, there is also the pressure that comes from the media, which is always stalking them, pushing them and criticising them, as and when they feel that the standards have been lowered.
There is no hiding place for the professional footballers and by the time they return to the training field, after their last match, they will be confronted by the sports science experts.
The fellows who track every step they make on the field and, using scientific evidence, will show the footballers that they came short here and there.
For some footballers, this could be just too much and we have seen many who arrived on the scene under a blaze of expectations, only for them to fade away very quickly.
For many African footballers, arriving in Europe, is always a very lonely adventure – far away from their families in an environment which, at the beginning, is very hostile.
The usually cold environment, given that professional football in Europe is largely played in the winter on that continent, provides a test for the African footballers, who have to quickly adjust from the predominantly sunny days at home.
All these challenges clearly show the importance of a stable home and strong support structures, for our footballers to make it in their European adventure.
They need someone to talk to, someone to share their challenges, someone to provide them with the assurance that things will get better.
That’s why we believe that a supportive and loving wife is very important for our footballers, who play their trade in the tough trenches of Europe, to find the stability they need, and the support they require, to deal with the challenges they face.
On Wednesday, our Warriors star, Marshall Munetsi sealed his union with his sweetheart Anotida Makove.
The France-based star flew home for the traditional ceremony, which was attended by family and friends, including Warriors team manager, Wellington Mpandare.
“First of all, I want to thank God, who made this possible,” said Munetsi. “We are happy that this day was a success.”
We have always had some very high hopes for Munetsi because he comes across as someone who is focused, very professional and, more importantly, has always been committed to the cause of his country.
We are very happy that he has chosen the right path, at this crucial phase of his life and career, where he will require all the support he needs, especially at home, to deal with the challenges of his profession.
All our budding footballers now look at Munetsi as a model of where they want to be, and it’s important that he also keep sending the right signals.
By sealing his union with his sweetheart, Munetsi has done just that and we are very proud of him.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter