Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
AT one time in the early stages of his career, Reward Muza was touted as a future national team goalkeeper.
His journey to the top has not been easy, as he has had to play second fiddle to other goalkeepers until recently when an opportunity to prove his mettle arose, and he seized it.
Muza put up a brave performance between the sticks for Highlanders when they won 2-0 against Dynamos last Sunday.
Previously, he had also made the starting eleven when Bosso lost 2-0 to Yadah. Reviews from the game suggested that Bosso could have conceded more had it not been for Muza’s brilliance.
Muza (25) who is Bosso’s third-choice goalkeeper, faces stiff competition from Ariel Sibanda and Raphael Pitisi for the goalkeeping position.
One of his coaches at the junior level, Sakheleni Nxumalo, is pleased to see Muza proving why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the land.”I remember coaching him at Under-14 level when we travelled to Harare as the Bulawayo province team.
The team had the likes of Denzel Khumalo, Thabo Lunga, and Mthabisi Tshuma, who is now based in the United States and Shadreck Nyahwa while Muza was their goalkeeper. “Following his performances at that tournament I was approached by one guy who said to me ‘Aka kachabatira nyika’ which translates to ‘this one will be a national team goalkeeper.’
My response to him was simple, I am just a provincial coach and the player belongs to Ajax. His proposition was, they wanted him to remain in Harare after they got impressed with his performances,” said Nxumalo.
Nxumalo says Muza’s attributes are that of a modern-day goalkeeper.”Over the years I was concerned if the prophecy by the guy in Harare was ever going to come true. The resilience to wait for his turn is what has impressed me the most.
Even during his loan spell at Bulawayo City, he has done well. From the reviews I am glad he is doing well for himself. He showed his potential as a youngster. Not only is he a good shot-stopper but he is good with the feet as well which makes him your modern-day goalkeeper who can start play from the back,” said Nxumalo.
Muza is relishing the healthy competition with his fellow goalkeepers on the team.”We are three goalkeepers in this big team. If one plays well the other ones must support the one who is playing well.
The message from our coach was clear that guys, whenever you are given the opportunity to play just go in there and play well. People must not see a difference between the first, second and third choice.
“To me that is the mentality that made me push more in the game against Dynamos last Sunday. I can simply say we are looking forward to a better result against Bulawayo Chiefs on Sunday, I think we want it more and we are high in confidence having won against Dynamos,” said Muza.
He says his recent success is a result of hard work.”It starts from training, as long as you push at training whether you are playing or not playing, the fruits will be positive. One must always have a positive mentality and when the opportunity comes you must represent the club well, there are no excuses, one has to work hard and play for the badge,” said Muza.
It remains to be seen if Muza will get another start for the Bulawayo giants when they face Chiefs on Sunday. Muza, a former youth international, represented Zimbabwe in the VW Under-13 tournament in Poland back in 2012. —@innocentskizoe.
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