Chronicle Editor
Welldone Ndlovu, Online Reporter
A ‘from rags to riches’ story is what every football player dreams of when he is from a poor background.
Meet Farirai Harstings Wafawanaka, a 19-year-old prolific striker who has defied the odds to join newly-promoted Premiership side Kwekwe United.
His journey is a testament to determination, hard work, and faith.
Growing up in the rural areas of Lupane in Matabeleland North, Harstings developed a passion for football at a tender age.
He honed his skills at Elitsheni Academy in Lupane, which competes in a non-division league under the Lupane Football Association.
At just 18 years old, Harstings made an indelible mark playing for Elitsheni in the Lupane League last year, scoring 16 goals and providing 8 assists in just 8 matches earning him the footballer of the season and top goal scorer.
This remarkable achievement marked the beginning of a turning point in his career.
He went on to join the football giants Dynamos Reserve team and participated in the Northern Division 2 league in the same year. Despite joining mid-season after the conclusion of the Lupane League, he impressed with 4 goals and 5 assists in 8 games.
Determined to fulfill his dreams, the goal poacher took a bold step by trying out for Kwekwe United in the semi-professional Division One league in the Central Region at the beginning of this season.
He impressed the Prince Matore coached side during trials and earned a spot on the team.
As the youngest player in the squad, Wafawanaka played a crucial role in Kwekwe United’s championship-winning season. He contributed 6 goals, scoring 2 and providing 4 assists, mostly coming off the bench.
In an interview with the Chronicle, Harstings expressed his gratitude to his coaches and teammates. “I’m grateful to my coaches who believed in me and encouraged me to work extra hard to help the team make history.” He also credited his former coach, Elijah Madzibaba, who helped fine-tune his skills at Elitsheni.
He acknowledged the challenges ahead in the Premiership but expressed his readiness to take on the top flight. “Premier League is a big stage that demands extra hard work and consistency. I am ready, and it will be a dream come true for me to play in the league,” he said.
Harstings’ achievement has etched his name in the history books of Kwekwe football, bringing top-flight football back to the mining town.
The last team from Kwekwe to play in the Premiership was Lancashire Steel in 2009.
Online Reporter