Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE sight of former Dynamos and CAPS United winger Tendai Matindife limping onto the Gwanzura turf on Wednesday to embrace his wife Tinotenda Sakara was both enduring and touching.
This was in the aftermath of Sakara’s team, CAPS United Royals’ 0-2 defeat to champions Herentals in a rearranged Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League tie.
Matindife is carrying an injury suffered in the Eastern Region Soccer League where he is turning out for Grain Tigers.
He is now a changed lot. He looks much fitter than the last time he was playing for the Green Machine a year ago.
“My primary objective was always to ensure that Matindife gets back to where his talent deserves to be,” said Sakara.
“You know a lot was said about my husband being involved in drugs and the like.
“I observed that it was something which was pulling him back in terms of his career progression.
“As his wife, I sat him down and I am happy he understood where I was coming from.
“We are living happily and I am glad my husband is doing well at his Division One team.
“I am certain that he will be getting a new team in the Premier Soccer League for the next season.
“I am there to love him, to give him all the support and always encouraging him to keep his focus.”
Sakara, a midfielder for CAPS United Royals has had a tough year with her team hovering around the relegation zone but there looks to be light at the end of the tunnel with six games remaining in the ZWPSL.
“As a team, we have put in a lot of work to ensure that we survive the chop,” she added.
“We have improved a lot and thanks to our administration, we galvanised our team in the midseason and here we are. Our survival now is no longer dependent on others but on us.”
Matindife said his supportive wife with whom they have a son Craig is the reason why he is now a focused lot.
“I owe a lot of the transformation that I have undergone to my wife,” said Matindife.
“Our discussions at home and everywhere mainly hinge on football.
“I am always home early and I am always throwing a listening ear to her.
“She does the same and we are living in lovely harmony.”
