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Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN Ngezi Platinum Stars walk into Rufaro this afternoon, for a date against Premiership debutants Scottland, Nyasha Gurende has everything to smile about.
It is this venue that catapulted him to spotlight, capturing the former champions’ attention last season before they went for his signature.
In a fixture that ended 1-1, Gurende converted a well-choreographed free-kick to earn a much needed equaliser against hosts Dynamos.
His performance at the heart of ZPC Kariba left last memories on many and for days, he was a subject of discussion.
What still amazes him is how he found himself in the match day squad as he had initially been dropped from the team.
ZPC head coach Newton Chitewe had announced his travelling squad on a Friday and the lanky defender was out.
With his family based in Harare, he, on Saturday morning made his way to Kariba bus terminus to board a bus to the capital.
It is here that he was spotted as the team-bus was about to depart for Harare and offered him a ride home.
Interestingly, along the way Chitewe had a change of mind and decided to rope Gurende back to the squad.
Unbeknown that the universe had conspired to finally give him a grand scale to showcase his talent.
That match, precisely his free-kick trended online heralding a new dawn on his career.
“The previous week our team had won 1-0 against Arenel Movers and I was away on suspension so I think our coaches did not want to disrupt the winning team hence I was left out,” he said.
” . . . along the way, the coach just came and told me that he had decided to have me back on the team, so you can imagine going on to score the crucial goal after all this.”
Reflecting on the events leading to that match, Gurende revealed to Zimpapers Sports that he began to feel less appreciated by the electricity boys.
As a result, making the decision to join Ngezi was not a difficult one for him.
“The Dynamos match remains a major highlight in my career, but with all that had happened prior to the match, I felt I was not appreciated,” added the former Chicken Inn man.
“In the season I shouldered a huge burden, you know when they all make it clear that they look up to you, I had to step up so as to not let them down but yet when it temporarily appeared well for them they had dropped me.”
Following the gruelling season where the team almost sunk into relegation, Gurende barely expected major changes in his football career.
He stood at the heart of arguably the best backline in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League only to be breached 18 times, keeping 21 clean sheets in the season.
However, they still went on to complete their campaign in position 13 with 41 points, 20 draws, seven wins and an equal number of defeats.
It is against this background that many turned a blind eye to ZPC Kariba, let alone his outstanding exploits.
The distance to Nyamhunga may have also played a role in his predicament as most spotlight is often cast to those closer to the capital.
However, a knock on his door by Madamburo came as an answer to the prayer of a lad who still carries sad memories from the resort town. Gurende is one of the best signings and most reasonable moves in the currently open transfer window.
He joined a team that is scientifically driven and allows him to spread his repertoire of tricks at a proven winner.
With Gareth Madhake’s exit (likely pushed by his imminent arrival) game time is “guaranteed”.
Based on his performances at ZPC he could be one of this season’s talents to watch out for.
“I am adjusting at Ngezi because systems are different, but so far the team is accommodative and it looks like the pressure is manageable,” he said.
While the defender appears confident, will he be able to withstand renewed targets considering that at ZPC it was mainly about survival while Ngezi aims for the championship.
Online Reporter