Murere continues to rise and shine

Veronica Gwaze

HE is small in stature and quite easy-going.

More often than not, he prefers to keep to himself while off the court.

However, on it, he is a completely different animal, with some using the term “brutal giant” owing to his competitive spirit.

Clayton Murere proved to be a lethal player on the court at the recent Zone Six Volleyball games in Maputo, Mozambique.

For his troubles, he finished as the only Zimbabwean to win himself an individual award.

The 28-year-old Naba Volleyball Club star was capped the “Best Defender” of the tournament, while his club had to settle for silver medal after falling 3-1 to Mozambique side Academia.

And to him, it is just the beginning of his rise to dazzling heights.

“I have been pushing myself hard to make my way up the ladder, and it has not been easy.

“However, if your eyes are on something, you have to keep pushing,” he said.

“Despite the Covid-19-induced breaks, I had to train individually to stay in shape because I knew Zone Six games were coming and this would be my chance to prove my mettle. “The other nations had been active for the past two years and we all needed to bring our A-game.”

Ironically, Murere, who is also a mechanic, only started playing volleyball at the age of 17.

He would play socially on the streets with friends and never imagined playing turning professional.

However, a friend identified his potential and invited him to attend training at Support Unit (SU).

This was to change his life, as the police outfit fell in love with his raw talent.

Still in school at the time, it meant he had to attend training after lessons.

This was until 2014 when the club officially signed him.

Later that year, he made his Harare Volleyball League debut.

“I also played my first HVA tournament around that time and scooped the ‘Best Libero’ of the tourney accolade,” added Murere.

“It was worth more than a million dollars to me; it boosted my confidence.

“I realised in those few moments that there actually was so much for me in volleyball.”

In 2019, he moved from Support Unit to University of Zimbabwe Wolves.

He, however, reckons this was not an easy decision to make.

“SU was home to me for years; they groomed me and leaving them was tough, but I had to do it,” he said.

“Together with other civilian players, we had failed to travel to Tunisia for the African Club Champions due to protocol, and this frustrated us.

“I took time to make up my mind as I loved the club, but I had to do what was best for my future.

“I had to move to where I would get the opportunity to showcase my talent.

“It was never about money,” he said.

In 2021, he found a new home in Naba following a mass exodus that crippled UZ Wolves.

Within a year, the university side lost their local and international titles.

This came as Naba, formerly a social club, transformed themselves into a professional and dominant side.

Murere has already set his eyes on African Club Championships later this year and hopes his side will make an impact.

His goal is to grow and learn as much as possible from big stars that will grace the event.

“I just want to be there, as it has always been my dream to be there.

“A lot of the big continental stars that I have always wanted to meet are going to be there, and I want to learn as much as possible from them.

“Hopefully, just being there and watching them close will help me learn a trick or two. This is life changing.”