Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
DANIEL Veremu is now the trusted lieutenant of one of the most revered coaches in the country, FC Platinum’s Norman Mapeza.
The two have become inseparable of late.
Together, they have transformed FC Platinum into a beast that has dominated local football in the last four years.
And, Pure Platinum Play – as they are affectionately known – are on the verge of clinching a fourth consecutive title.
A former FC Platinum defender and a championship medal winner with Gunners in 2009, Veremu is a typical example of how football can change circumstances of those who live in rural communities.
He grew up in Mutoko, where most of his peers ended up being herd boys or gold panners, but football changed his life.
He was spotted at a tournament that was held in Mutoko in 2003, and that was the turning point of his football journey.
Veremu would go on to play for the now-defunct Gunners, who won the Premiership title under Moses Chunga in 2009, before joining FC Platinum.
He also represented Zimbabwe before retiring and taking up coaching.
He believes there should be more football tournaments in rural areas.
Veremu hailed the KB Kanyongo Football Tournament that is currently underway in Mutoko.
The annual tournament is sponsored by the Kanyongo family, who were born and raised in Mutoko before relocating to the United States of America.
The final will be held in Mutoko on October 22.
“Tournaments like KB Kanyongo are very important, because they give exposure to upcoming players who don’t normally have opportunities to go to the cities and towns to showcase their talent,” says Veremu.
“Last time they hosted this tournament, they invited Dynamos coach Ndiraya (Tonderai) and you can see that one life can be changed with this type of tournament.
“I’m a living testimony of these tournaments.
“I was selected in Makosa, Mutoko, in 2003 through the Mai Olivia Muchena tournament, and that was the turning on my football journey,” he said.
The FC Platinum assistant coach thinks rural-based footballers are at a disadvantage.
“It’s very difficult for a rural player to achieve his goal, because the exposure is little or zero.
“Most players end up being gold panners or herd boys … In my school team, there were many good players, but I am the only one who had the opportunity to showcase my talent,” he said.
Mutoko did not have an organised football club or team when Veremu was growing up.
And the ex-Gunners central defender is advocating for more tournaments in remote areas.
“I only played at Katsande and Makosa Secondary schools in Mutoko. There was no football club in our district.
“So my advice to the rural-based players is, don’t be afraid to go out there and showcase your talent. Use tournaments like the KB Kanyongo tourney to play well and attract interest.
“You never know who will be watching,” he said.
Online Reporter