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Veronica Gwaze, Sports Reporter
WHEN Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League side Faith Drive Queens founder Nelia Musikavanhu spotted Morelife Nyagumbo in 2017, she saw a young athlete with potential.
Despite the state of the grounds where school teams were converging for a tournament in Vhengere, Nyagumbo stood out for the granny who strongly felt that she was a pure gem.
And all she wanted to do was to hand her more life, as the young girl’s name suggests through a chance to pursue her football dream and transform her life story.
Mbuya Musikavanhu, as she is affectionately known, was to “adopt” the then 13-year-old Grade Seven girl, who hails from Rusape. Ironically, when the young girl’s mother handed her to Mbuya Musikavanhu, she said something that left the “granny” baffled.
“You need to whip her into line, I am tired of her behaviour . . .” Mbuya Musikavanhu recalls the mother’s words, acknowledging that they keep ringing in her mind.
Nyagumbo went on to join more than 100 other girls, who have benefited from Mbuya Musikavanhu’s benevolence.
Mighty Warriors stars Cynthia Shonga, Shyline Dambamuromo, Bethel Kondo, Edline Mutumbami and Maud Mafuruse are among Gogo Musikavanhu’s beneficiaries.
Seven years later and the Faith Drive Academy owner is still trying to understand why Nyagumbo’s mother said those words. All that she has seen since taking the footballer in, is a modest young girl who never pays attention to negativity. Instead, she was focused on honing her football craft, which she balanced well with school.
“I could not ask much on the day, but I kept wondering why the mother had said that because to me this appeared to be a young innocent and vulnerable girl who needed parental love,” she said.
“Since taking her in and enrolling her at Nyamauru High School on scholarship, she has never shown me or the school any bad behaviour.”
Little did the mother imagine the young girl someday in national team colours while also leading her team as the Captain. The Faith Drive FC forward is neither the most vocal in the dressing room nor at the Mbuya Musikavanhu established home, yet prolific on the pitch.
She is currently the ZWSL top goal scorer with 13 goals in nine games, while Herentals Queens’ Praynance Zvawanda is second after finding the back of the net 10 times.
Her contribution has not escaped her teammates.
The Mighty Warrior has transformed into an unsung hero, who is well respected by her mates for her prowess and calm character.
“She is the engine of the team and everything about her is just a marvel; I had a conversation with her parents recently and they were happy with what she has grown into,” said Musikavanhu.
“You feel her presence when she is on the pitch. She has the ability to drive her team in any situation, while she is equally good with the ball.
“I am happy that she did not let me down . . .”
Faith Drive face a huge test this week when they face Chapungu at Chisamba Grounds with Nyagumbo expected to lead from the front.
The skipper will be aiming to net more goals as she pushes towards her target of more than 30 goals at the end of the season.
“These are some of the games that can make or break a player; Chapungu are a tough opponent that boasts of renowned players. We will give it our all as we fight for a top three season finish . . . I am also pushing to achieve my individual target and market my talent so these are the games that need one to be in fine form,” said Nyagumbo.
Matchday 10 Results
Conduit Academy 0-1 Black Mambas; ZRP Queens 1-3 Harare City; Hope Academy 0-9 Correctional Queens ; Platinum Royals 0-1 Faith Drive; Herentals Queens 2-1 Maningi ; Chapungu Queens 7-0 Mutare City ; Sheasham 0-3 Highlanders Royals
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