Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WASHINGTON Navaya could be the special gift that was born and bred in Gweru.
His story is that of a player who left home to chase his football dream, scored goals for various clubs but failed to find happiness.
In his quest, he even landed at a club of his dreams, Highlanders where he spent three years donning the black and white sleeve.
Yet he still could not find peace until he returned home (Gweru).
It is only this year that despite being four games into the season, he finally found happiness.
Having endured three gruelling seasons at Bosso, before an emotional exit in 2023, Navaya feels this campaign may serve to atone for the broken heart he carries around.
The lanky forward commenced his season on a high, netting four goals in an equal number of the Castle Lager Premiership games that TelOne have played so far. His goals propelled the WIFI Boys to seven points from four matches.
At the weekend, eyes were on him with the Gweru community banking on his scoring form for goals against CAPS United.
Picking from his pre-international break form, he netted the all-important solitary goal in Telone’s 1-0 win against the visiting Harare giants.
“Playing a big team especially at home is always a huge task, you cannot afford to be out of form so you have to work hard to stay in shape,” Navaya said.
Navaya says based on his current form, the current term could easily be his best in years.
For a man who left the Bosso with a heavy heart after they declined to renew his contract, netting goals in front of his family and childhood friends is all he needed to cure his broken heart.
Navaya was born and bred in Mtapa suburb in Gweru, were he attended St Michael’s Primary and Nashville High schools.
It was after completing his Advanced Level at Mambo High School that his maturing professional football journey took him to various destinations.
In 2021, the former ZPC Munyati goal scoring machine found himself at Highlanders, a club he always wished to serve.
“I had always wanted to play for Bosso, so when the opportunity came, it was a dream come true,” he said.
“My first match at Highlanders was May 23, 2021, a Chibuku Super Cup opening round fixture where I opened the scoreboard in 42 minutes.
“It felt like heaven but you know celebrating goals and finding peace are two different stories.”
The pressure of playing for the demanding club always weighed him down.
“My time at Bosso could as well be one of my career’s highlights but the pressure of expectation always took a toll on me,” he said.
“I had to develop a strong heart because just like the other big clubs, they value their fans so they always want a win and nothing less.
“Sometimes when I reflect on how our relationship ended, I feel that maybe God wanted me to come back home, rediscover myself and find peace again.”
This season, Navaya has been an ever-present feature in the Herbert Maruwa coached outfit.
The Gweru based side have boldly expressed ambitions to contest for the domestic league’s most prestigious gong.
Clear to their intent, they are already mounting a strong chase in the championship race.
With Navaya’s influence in the finishing third engine room, he stands to be one of the WIFI Boys’ biggest weapons this year.
“It is still early, but when a team is collecting points, it means we are in the right direction,” he said.
“Playing at home and scoring in front of my family and friends gives me the joy that I have not felt in a long time . . . I feel content to be in Gweru.
Navaya aims to score double figures this season and as well contest in the Golden Boot race.
He credits Maruwa and Telone for giving him a platform to rediscover himself and also transform him into a lethal forward that he is becoming.
“I hope I will enjoy an injury free season and also be consistent throughout,” he said.
“As a team, we have a positive attitude and we feel inspired to succeed.”
