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Veronica Gwaze Sports Reporter
THERE was no dispute when 18-year-old Dynamos forward Elton Chikona walked to the podium to receive the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Most Promising Player award last Friday during the Soccer Star of the Year banquet.
Chikona was in his debut season after graduating from DeMbare’s junior team and stood out for his remarkable improvement through out the season, showing composure and goal scoring potential.
Interestingly, after scripting such a colourful story, his mother, Veronica Nyamoto still feels like everything is just but a dream.
She still has memories of a young Dzivaresekwa kid whom she had to lash, every time he played street football.
“I do not believe that this is happening, I never imagined myself at such an event one day,” revealed the visibly overjoyed mother, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Elton has transformed us into celebrities, it happened fast, I do not know how best to describe this feeling or maybe it is just a fantasy that I will soon wake up from.”
Despite playing a limited role in the opening half of the season, Chikona went on to complete his season on a high with five goals and three assists from his 13 appearances in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
To add cherry on top of the cake, he went on to score the opening goal in their 2-0 win over Ngezi Platinum Stars in the Chibuku Super Cup final at the weekend.
“I pray for my son everyday when he leaves the house, asking God to guide him, I do not want him to ever get carried away by fame,” she said, fighting back tears.
“He has always been a disciplined and respectful kid; I want him to remain like that.”
Emerging as the club’s top goal scorer of the season, Chikona still chooses to remain modest.
The Sunrise Academy product oozes with confidence and has a rare capability to keep himself grounded even when things do not go well for the team.
At home, he has also stepped up for his family to become the breadwinner.
“We are a modest family, our life has always been punctuated by struggles here and there.
“Over the years, we bought a residential stand which we had not paid for in full, Elton stepped up and paid it off.
“We run a tuck shop, he has bailed it out on several occasions and he is now the man we look up to for many things . . . I am very proud.
“Growing up, I knew there was Dynamos Football Club, heard of it and the big names that emerged from it but to ever imagine that I would have a son in that blue kit one day would be a lie,” she said.
Chikona still has memories of his debut match at Dynamos, when he came in as a second half introduction at National Sports Stadium when the then coach Herbert Maruwa led side fell to a shocking 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Bulawayo Chiefs.
Despite the heartbreaking downfall in their first leg that left the Glamour Boys supporters devastated, Chikona had a debut to remember.
“It was terrifying and looking at the terraces, the numbers and the atmosphere said a lot, I was not sure what I was to do stepping onto pitch,” recalls Chikona.
“The coach reminded me to take it like any other training day, which gave me an idea of what to do and that has stuck to my mind up to this day.
“I am happy, coach (Genesis) Mangombe also holds my hand, he mentors me on and off the pitch so every time, I play my heart out because of him, my family and everyone who looks up to me.
“I believe the rookie of the year award is a beginning of greater things to come, I am looking forward to an even better season next year.”
Online Reporter