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Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS mainstay Valentine Kadonzvo says he is surprised with how things have panned out for him a year after he was rejected by Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The silky winger returned to the Glamour Boys at the start of the term, almost six years after he left the Harare giants for Chicken Inn. His struggles at Ngezi Platinum were in evidence last season after scoring just twice and getting four assists in a title-winning term in which he saw limited game time as he had just enrolled for a university degree.
And it came as no surprise when he was asked to look for a loan deal elsewhere by Ngezi Platinum early this year as he still had a running contract with the Mhondoro team.
He then found himself back at Dynamos where authorities instead decided to sign him permanently.
Although Kadonzvo struggled with his game in the initial phases of the season, the Dynamos leadership’s gamble would soon start paying dividends as the swift flanker has never shown any slackening signs since regaining his mojo.
The 29-year-old has since emerged as the X-Factor for a Dynamos side seeking to finish the league in the top four and retain the Chibuku Super Cup.
Kadonzvo has proven to be one of the most effective wingers across the league after throwing in 10 assists and scoring five goals in 23 goals.
Both numbers are the most by a single player at Dynamos.
“I am grateful to Dynamos for giving me another chance almost six years after we parted ways.
“When I arrived at Dynamos, things never looked the way I expected. I had to prove myself first before we sat down to make a deal.
“It was very difficult for me because my confidence levels were at the lowest ebb,” said Kadonzvo.
“But I kept on putting in the work and instead of getting me on loan, the move was eventually made permanent. Then I had to justify it.
“At first, I struggled and some injuries here and there never helped matters. I played in the first match of the season against Highlanders.
“It was a tough game but then I pulled a muscle and had to be replaced. I missed about six games due to the injury before I came back.
“I am really surprised how I have picked myself up again and become the leading scorer at Dynamos right now. I am enjoying my game and I am keeping on putting in the work.
“I would like to salute my coach Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe and everyone at Dynamos, especially the fans, for keeping their belief in me even when the chips were down.
“Those voices from the terraces keep me going and once I have that blue shirt on, I feel the urge to outperform my limitations.”
Kadonzvo, together with right-back Emmanuel Jalai are the two Dynamos players expected to make the Soccer Stars calendar this year after some outstanding work for the Glamour Boys.
Kadonzvo will be back at Baobab for the first time this season when Dynamos play Ngezi Platinum in their rearranged match-day 26 fixture on Saturday.
The game was shelved because Dynamos were fulfilling a CAF Confederation Cup fixture where Kadonzvo was making waves again. He would be eager to prove his worth in front of his former bosses who also tasted his sting when he scored a beautiful volley in the reverse fixture with that game ending in a 2-2 draw at Rufaro back in May.
“When I am playing against a former team, I will not be holding any grudges. That is exactly how I see things ahead of Saturday match.
“I am here at Dynamos to help Dynamos achieve their objectives,” said Kadonzvo.
“I am inspired to play a big role for my team and hopefully we will be able to pocket the full points which will then help us get closer to our top-four goals.”
Online Reporter