Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FRANK MAKARATI is a staunch Chelsea supporter and the TelOne captain is revelling following the English Premier League soccer side’s recent success at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup.
The Blues were crowned champions after stunning overwhelming favourites Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 at the Met-Life Stadium in New Jersey, in the United States last Sunday.
Although Makarati has a deep affection for Chelsea, the former Dynamos star defender was disturbed by Liverpool striker Diogo Jota’s sudden death, two weeks ago.
Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, died on the spot when their car suffered a tyre blow-out, crashed and caught fire in Spain’s Zamora province on July 3. The Portuguese star died just four days after the domestic premiership had lost one of its best players — FC Platinum midfielder Brian Banda — who also perished in a car accident that occurred along the Zvishavane-Bulawayo highway. Banda was a key player at four-time Castle Lager Premier Soccer champions FC Platinum and had also become part of the national team setup.
Those two tragic incidents triggered a memory flashback for Makarati, who was also involved in a near-fatal accident in September 2024. Makarati, who was in the company of teammate Tendaishe Magwaza, escaped with minor injuries after the Ford Ranger he was driving rolled twice in Harare’s Waterfalls suburb.
The 31-year-old defender had arrived back in Harare after featuring for Dynamos in a CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round defeat by Orapa United of Botswana in Francistown. “That accident showed me the power of God.
“Since that incident, I am always thanking the Almighty for the gift of life,” Makarati told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
The veteran defender lived to see another day and is now leading TelOne from the back.
“We could have died on the spot, but God gave us another chance.
“God has made me stronger since that incident . . . now view life differently.
“But that’s now in the past. I am now concentrating on playing football and helping my club TelOne achieve their targets,” added Makarati.
His TelOne are having their best season on their second flirtation with the top-flight game.
Their coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa is credited with transforming the Gweru outfit from a bottom-tier side to potential title challengers in just over a year.
TelOne are third on the log with 33 points, seven behind log leaders Simba Bhora after 20 rounds of action.
Maruwa has boldly declared his side’s title ambitions and Makarati agrees with his gaffer.
“What I can safely say is that we have got a very competitive side that can beat anyone in the league.” Makarati is preparing to lead his side in a crunch league tie against resurgent CAPS United at Rufaro tomorrow.
“The players are psyched up, they have the belief and I don’t see us having problems winning games.
“We are fighting so that we go to the top of the log. We have a big chance of taking over the number one spot.”
But, TelOne have to take care of Makepekepe, who seem to have regained their mojo since the arrival of Zambian gaffer Ian Bakala.
“I have played a lot of games against CAPS United, even in the Harare derby when I was still at Dynamos, so that experience will come in handy,” added Makarati.
TelOne edged CAPS United 1-0 in the reverse fixture at Ascot.
“This time we are going to Harare where CAPS United will enjoy home advantage, so it’s going to be a very tough game.
“But we want three points from this game.
“We have to work hard for those three points.
“We respect CAPS United, they are one of the biggest teams in the land and we are not underrating them, they have a very good coach and very good players”.
Makarati praised Maruwa for “managing the team’s dressing room in a very professional manner.” “The coaches have confidence in the players and the players also trust the technical staff.
“We are a happy family. We are driven by the need to repay the faith shown in us by the coaches.
“Of course, TelOne fought against relegation last year, but thanks to the club’s executive and the technical team, the club did well on the transfer market.
“We have a good mixture of experienced and young players,” said Makarati
