Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FORGOTTEN former midfield magician, Last ‘Lala’ Jesi’s residential property in the sprawling suburb of Hobhouse in Mutare is up for auction – ostensibly to recover intermediary services costs that were not paid to football agent, George Deda, Post Sport has learnt.
Jesi, whose whereabouts remain shrouded in secrecy, and is believed to be in Harare, rose to stardom in local football in his early 20s, only to vanish into thin air like morning dew before much was achieved.
He declared that he will be reviving his romance with the game late last year, but nothing tangible has so far materialised.
In a notice for sale of immovable property published by Lardmail Liaison Auctioneers (PVT) LTD in last Friday’s edition of The Manica Post, Case Number 1230/23 pits Deda against the former Dongo Sawmills, GreenFuel and Sudanese giants Al Hilal player.
Reads the notice: “Case Number 1230/23 George Deda vs Last Jesi: House Number 1775, Hobhouse, Mutare. A house consisting of sitting room, kitchen, three bedrooms, separate toilet and bathroom. House built of brick blocks under asbestos.”
Although both Deda and Jesi were not available for comment, the latest development, in which the former national team player’s house is now under the hammer due to money owed to Deda, ostensibly emanated from unpaid services when Deda played a huge role in Jesi’s lucrative transfer to Al Hilal.
Upon his return from Sudan, and subsequent pursuance of the matter through FIFA structures that culminated in Jesi receiving his lump sum compensation, the player disappeared and his whereabouts were never ascertained.
Word has it that Jesi bought another residential property in Mbare in Harare, where he is now believed to be staying and making efforts to revive his football career.
Human archives with Eastern Region football knowledge will attest to the fact that Jesi could have easily become one of the best players ever to emerge from the region, if not the best.
He had the potential in abundance.
Somehow, there are things that border on his personal life and professional career that perhaps he could have handled better back then but agonisingly failed.
In an unsolicited interview in December last year, that was motivated by an article once published by this newspaper asking about his whereabouts, Jesi, who confirmed that he is now based in Harare, told Post Sport that returning to the game was not an easy path.
Jesi said: “The journey back to football has not been an easy one. It has been a tough one for different reasons. Fitness is the first issue. My fitness levels needed a lot of work since I have been off the pitch for a reasonable period. I have since started my fitness classes under coach, Thulani and David Kutyauripo. I have had limited game time, resulting in coaches being unsure of my skills. Remember also that I had never played for a Harare team and therefore quite a few knew enough to open up for an opportunity.”
In that interview, Jesi admitted that stigma was a hurdle he had to deal with.
Ends
