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Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
EACH time he steps onto the pitch for FC Platinum, midfielder Juan Mutudza has a burden he carries with him.
When his brother died in March, Mutudza found himself with the responsibility of taking care of his late brother’s four-year-old girl.
“That is what I would have also wanted had I been in his situation, I love the kid dearly and I am happy to have transformed into a father this early,” said Mutudza.
The former Herentals and Dynamos player has scored six times.
“He was my best friend and pretty much the person I valued above everyone in my life… the void is too much, I do not know if ever I will heal from this,” he said.
“We talked about everything, we had a special bond so even when sometimes we had to be hundreds of kilometres apart, due to work commitments, we would talk daily over the phone.”
After scoring FC Platinum’s goal in their 1-1 draw against Yadah Stars at the Heart Stadium recently, Mutudza would have been expected to bask in the glory of shooting to the top of the goal scorers chart.
Yet, it was all about tears.
“I am just doing what he had asked me to do for him, it is his request that keeps me pushing hard and I am hoping to do it just the way he wanted.
“Most people do not know that it is because of him that I came to FC Platinum.”
When Denzel got to Triangle, he only managed to train for 30 minutes before he became grounded owing to ill-health.
“This is when I realised that he was seriously ill, he loved football and would not allow light sickness to ground him,” said Mutudza.
“Up to now, it haunts me but I always have to put on a brave face and be there for the little girl, which means balancing fatherhood and football.
“I now look at myself as a father although I am yet to marry or have kids of my own, she is my first born and I will do everything in my power to love, protect and provide for her.”
Online Reporter