Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THERE are few things as tried and true in sports as the tragic tale of the price of fame.
Football icons like Diego Maradona and Paul Gascoigne are the big examples in the game.
At some point, they were some of the biggest names in the world in their respective careers but they have one thing in common.
They all fell victim to drug and substance abuse.
Closer to home, former Premier Soccer League champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and their storied climb to the top should offer as a cautionary tale on the price of fame.
When Ngezi Platinum Stars won the championship in 2023, they thrust both their players and the Mhondoro area into limelight.
Their brief stint at the CAF Confederations Cup last year did the same.
But while the club brought pride to Mhondoro, the district has not really returned the favour as social ills and vices brewed in that community have swallowed ‘innocent’ players and dimed once promising careers.
Even the club’s title defence mission was allegedly derailed by drug and substance abuse.
Last season Ngezi s’ dressing room wrote distinct tales of players who successfully revived their careers.
Likewise, some projected potential also got lost along the way, tripping over self-invited and circumstantial obstacles.
“What happens in our community is sad, and we have seen players failing to remain resolute,” Clive Singende, a community member said.
“Some of them do not heed advice after we try to warn them. We are then forced to watch while talent goes to waste.”
A club executive member (name withheld) also echoed the same sentiments.
“It has been a tough journey, a lot was happening and the issue of mood altering substances was one of the challenges,” said the executive.
“We tried by all means as a club to help and we are happy that we rescued some save for one or two but we will continue to help them.”
Wasted Opportunity
Pacey 20-year-old Walter Vuwa made a powerful burst into Ngezi’s senior team in 2023, becoming one of the talents to watch.
Many hoped to see him write amazing tales with his feet at the CAF Champions’ League.
Yet, what could have been his breakthrough season turned out to be a nightmare that destroyed him.
Zimpapers Sport can reveal that the club last season got him admitted at a rehabilitation institution in Harare.
However, Vuwa escaped and reverted to his old ways after less than a three-week stay.
Resultantly, at the start of this year, the club had to terminate his contract and release him.
This was before the seemingly reformed winger resurfaced at the former champions Chicken Inn and it remains to be seen whether he is indeed a changed man.
That community also swallowed a once promising forward, Tendai Matindife.
After his departure from Ngezi, he joined Dynamos and later Caps United trying to revive his career.
Likewise, renowned midfielder Denver Mukamba is another classic case.
After seemingly transforming his ways at Chapungu in 2019, he joined Ngezi in 2020.
In 2023, he re-joined Dynamos after his contract was terminated by the platinum miners over allegations of using recreational drugs.
A season later, he moved to Division one’s Scottland before vanishing at the end of the season.
Currently, he is clubless.
The drug and substance abuse epidemic has claimed many other footballers from the community and the numbers continue to rise.
BronCleer cough syrup, Histalix and crystal meth are allegedly some of the most abused drugs amongst athletes.
Continued abuse can lead to organ damage, respiratory depression and mental health disorders.
Addiction then perpetuates missing training sessions, under performance on the pitch, in-discipline and temper problems.
But alas, hope is on the way.
Rescue
Despite challenges emanating from their home community, Ngezi continue to make efforts to rescue and safeguard their players.
They have established a secure club house, where some players stay with scrutinized movement in and out.
Psychologist and former Dynamos Executive Ester Mawere has also stepped in to assist.
She is determined to assist athletes with rehabilitation in an effort to rescue sporting careers.
In the past, she has recorded success rehabilitation stories, rescuing a number of players across clubs.
Mawere has opened her Chegutu Rehabilitation Centre to assist troubled PSL players.
“I have been doing rehabilitation for some time and PSL players are a special group that I have committed to help,” she said.
“Drug and substance abuse is now a pandemic, we cannot sit back and watch while talent goes to waste.
“We all need to be hands on,” she said.
Mandipa Hope Rehabilitation Centre’ s Elizabeth Majongwe has urged clubs to join forces and establish proper structures to curb the menace.
She feels that more needs to be done to rescue talent across sport codes.
“We attend some football and volleyball events, raising awareness,” she said.
“Voluntarily we also assist those in need of therapy.”
Success Stories
From the seemingly gory community, success stories have also emerged.
In 2023, Takunda Benhura made headlines, winning the PSL golden boot with 13 goals to his name.
With much expected from him the following season, he, however, stuttered in its initial stages.
The forward had returned from offseason allegedly hooked into mood altering substances, prompting therapy.
Successfully rehabilitated, he started making regular appearances after four games.
Despite eventually failing to catch up with the golden boot race his career was saved.
By end of season, he had netted 12 goals, five behind Golden Boot winner Lynoth Chikuhwa.
