admin
Langton Nyakwenda
HE was only 22 when FIFA banned him from the game after failing a doping test.
Devon Chafa grabbed international media attention when world football’s governing body announced the six-month ban on October 14, 2013.
He tested positive for a banned substance, prednisone – a gluccorticosteriod when Zimbabwe lost 2-4 against Egypt in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at the National Sports on June 9, 2013.
Chafa was sidelined until March 1, 2014.
That dark period did not escape Chafa’s mind as he celebrated his 29th birthday on Christmas Day.
“Sharing the same birthday with Jesus Christ is a blessing,” said the FC Platinum central midfielder.
“But, even as I celebrated my birthday on Christmas Day, as well as my seven championship medals, there’s one thing that kept replaying in my mind.
“I have always had hard lessons in life but the most notable one is the ban, it took a huge toll on me,” said Chafa, a devout member of the Johane Masowe Chishanu Nyenyedzinomwe.
Chafa was banned a few weeks before Dynamos lifted their third straight league title under Kalisto Pasuwa and the Highfield-bred midfielder was a key figure in that team.
DeMbare went on to win a fourth title in a row with Chafa receiving his fourth straight championship medal.
He has gone on to win three more, one with CAPS United in 2016 and two with FC Platinum in 2018 and 2019.
Chafa is the only local player with such a decorated Premiership history.
“It’s a great achievement, but I wouldn’t have achieved this if God was not behind it all. “All the medals were sweet, the first one with Dynamos in 2011 was just something else.
“But, the one I won with FC Platinum a few weeks ago is the sweetest given the way we did it.
“We won it on the last day after beating CAPS United 1-0 in their own backyard,” said Chafa, who now has one more medal than Murape Murape.
Murape won six with Dynamos in 1997, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Chafa, who is in Egypt where FC Platinum played eight-time African club football champions Al Ahly in a Group B match last night, also thinks a lot about his tough upbringing in the ghetto.
A product of Highfield High 2 School, Chafa had to cut short his academic career and concentrate on football.
“Things were a bit tight for my family at that time. It was a hassle, so I had to concentrate in football.
“I was taken in by Calvin Nyazema at Sprouting Academy, zvinhu zvaive zvakaoma (things were really tight.)
“However, with God everything is possible. I ended up playing for Dynamos, the biggest team in the country.”
Chafa was part of that famous group of players who were taken to Dynamos from Kiglon by Lloyd Mutasa in 2011.
Denver Mukamba, Gift Bello, Dominic Benati and Thomas Magorimbo were the others.
Mutasa lost his job midway through the 2011 season and was replaced by Pasuwa who went on to win his maiden league title following a stunning recovery that saw DeMbare overturn a 11-point gap between them and FC Platinum.
“That is one championship that remains sweet, they say the first cut is the deepest. We made an immediate impact at Dynamos and I am glad to be part of the group of players that won four consecutive league titles,” Chafa says.
DeMbare have never won the league title since Chafa left.
There is a joke in town which sarcastically advises championship aspiring coaches to sign Chafa during this offseason.
“I am aware of the joke, but for now I am happy at FC Platinum. Who knows, maybe I will win my eighth medal here again next season.”
A former Kiglon and How Mine player who also passed through DC Academy, Chafa shares the same birthday with a number of celebrities and renowned philosophers.
The late English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian and author Isaac Newton was born on December 25, 1642.
Jairzinho, the Brazil legend and a very skilful winger who was part of Brazilian national team that won the World Cup in 1970, was also born on Christmas Day in 1944.Former Scotland national team talisman Gary McAlister was also born on Christmas Day in 1964.
“It’s cool to share this special birthday with some football legends,” says Chafa, who also happens to be a nephew of former Dynamos coach Lloyd “MaBlanyo” Chigowe.
Online Reporter