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Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter
THE last time Denver Mukamba played in the Harare Derby, he was putting on a CAPS United shirt.
That was five years ago.
Haunded out of Dynamos for truancy by then coach Lloyd Mutasa, Mukamba had crossed the huge divide to join the Green Machine, who were under the tutelage of Lloyd Chitembwe.
And he had a point to prove against Mutasa when Makepekepe and DeMbare met in the derby. In that emotionally charged showpiece in which Mukamba seemed to had regained his mojo, CAPS United walked away with bragging rights after a 1-0 victory.
On the ”historical” day, Chitembwe gave Mukamba the freedom to play his heart out and the Highfield bred star repaid him with a quality 69th minute goal.
Just before the final whistle on that game, the full of surprises Mukamba unexpectedly went on to hug Mutasa, his former coach at the bench.
From that outing, he left CAPS United fans eating from the palm of his hand.
In fact, Mukamba just has a way into people ‘s hearts.
Rewind to his introduction to the scene, Mukamba had burst onto the scene in 2011 and since then he became known for being a “free spirit” who could dissappear from duty and reappear as he pleased.
However, each time the 2012 Soccer Star of the year reappeared, he always had a way of burying his fans’ anger with him as he was just so good with the ball at his feet.
Of late, the seemingly reformed ”Mundikumbuke” has been collected, trying hard to shrug off the bad boy tag that has stuck with him for years. Once again, his romance with Dynamos supporters has been rekindled in such a way that they have to wait for a chance to greet him and shower him with money each he walks off the pitch.
Having played a number of derbies before, his experience should count for the now youthful DeMbare side. DeMbare are set to play one of their biggest games on the calendar against CAPS United on Sunday at the National Sports Stadium.
“From my experience in previous derby games, matches of this magnitude are the best platform for any player to exhibit their talent and prove that they deserve a chance on the national team,” he said.
“I have played for both Dynamos and CAPS United in a derby and I learnt that in such clashes, you need not put yourself under any pressure but to be the best you can be.”
With supporters expected to throng the giant stadium in numbers, Mukamba notes that his team will need all the confidence on the day.
His trick, he said, will be to give it his all, enjoy and let the game flow.
“Some of the guys are still new when we talk of the derby, supporters will come in numbers and that tends to give some players pressure, however they should not panic,” said Mukamba.
“I have been telling them that such games are not as easy but they should not panic, instead they should take it as a platform to make a name for themselves.”
Known as a man of few words and full of surprises with both his devine football skills and deviant attitude, Mukamba has opted to play his cards close to his chest ahead of the biggest football rivalry in Harare.
Evidently on a mission, Mukamba has promised his fans a moment to savour.
“I cannot say much or promise what will happen on the day but I guarantee my fans that they sure will have a feel of the real Denver,” he said.
“It is not about personal glory because we play to win as a team, so I am focusing on us as a team though individually, I have something for the fans.
“I know some people talk, they actually think I am down and out of the game but I do not want to allow all that negative talk to affect me in any way.
“I have goals and targets, so I should focus on developing myself as a player and learn to pick positives from some of the stories.”
This, notes the former Warriors midfielder, has in fact become his strength over the years.
He attributes it to the experiences he went through during his formative years at Dynamos.
And now, he said, he feels obliged to mentor the younger Dynamos players who are still gaining experience.
“When I came to Dynamos, I played with the likes of Murape Murape and Desmond Maringwa, they held my hand and helped me learn quickly,” he said.
“I gelled easily into the system and now I have to be there for my guys, teaching and motivating them.
“Coming from a 3-2 defeat against Bulawayo Chiefs, we agreed as a team that we need to move past it and focus on the task at hand so we are ready for the day.”
Online Reporter
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