adminBruce Chikuni
NYASHA Chintuli loves Brazilian football stars.
That explains why he named his three sons after the Samba Boys.
The first born is called Neymar, 8, followed by Thiago, 5, and Coutinho, 3.
The Manica Diamonds forward also shares the same first name with his wife.
Her name is Nyasha Mabesa and he says she was the one who inspired him to name the three boys.
“When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I had a desktop, and she would continuously watch Neymar’s videos, so we decided to name our first child after him.
“From there, we were fascinated with how the name came about and we agreed to name the other two boys after Brazilians,” he said.
He said his children’s names have received mixed reactions.
“I don’t regret giving my children Brazilian names.
“It’s not like I want them to be like me.
“In whatever they desire to be, I will be the first to support them.
“We sometimes face criticism, with some people telling us there are no such names.”
Chintuli said his recruitment, as a prison warden, saved his family from poverty.
Chintuli has been one of the outstanding Castle Lager Premiership players, netting nine times.
He said being raised by a single mother, life was unbearable, as she sometimes got overwhelmed by the day-to-day challenges.
“I thank God that I had a strong mother, who tried her best to provide for me.
“I ignored all problems by committing myself to football,” said Chintuli.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service side, Tenax FC, offered him a contract, when he was 18, after impressing during trials.
“I will never forget the moment because it changed my family’s life.
“I felt like this is the time to financially save my mother, although I never dreamt of being a prisons’ officer.
“It never mattered because I needed the job.
“I thought it was going to end there, and never imagined myself playing in the Premiership, but in 2017 it became real.
“I couldn’t believe it when Triangle signed me last season,” he said.
The enterprising forward left Triangle and joined Ngezi Platinum Stars, in the last campaign.
He was lured to join Manica Diamonds at the start of this season.
Online Reporter