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WARRIORS’ debutant Godknows Murwira once played as a striker and flirted with the attacking linkman role until Biggie Zuze told him he was born to be a right-back.
And as he prepares to wear the famous gold and green of Zimbabwe when the men’s senior national soccer team take on Guinea tonight in an Afcon qualifier, the 23-year-old still marvels at what destiny has served up for him.
The Warriors have already qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
“I arrived at Monomotapa in 2012 as an offensive linkman who could play right through the middle or on the flanks.
“However, my coach then Zuze told me I had some qualities of a right-back and the following season he turned me into a right-back.
“That move has turned out to be a masterstroke because it is at right-back that I have flourished,” says the player that Dynamos fans call “Zizou” after the legendary Zinedine Zidane.
Just as Murwira was beginning to flourish, Monomotapa were relegated from the top flight in 2013, and he headed for Shabanie Mine where the relegation curse struck again the following season.
“It was a dark period for me when Shabanie Mine were relegated but God has a way of making things right,” says the devout Anglican; church choir member and self-proclaimed ‘excellent’ drummer.
“Chances of getting recognised nationally are slim when you play for teams like Shabanie Mine so my strategy was always to aim for big teams.
“When I joined Dynamos (at the) beginning of 2015, the mission was to win the title but I always prayed for recognition by the national team coach.”
His prayers were answered on the sunny afternoon of August 24, 2016 when he got a call from Warriors manager Sharif Mussa.
The absence of regular starter Hardlife Zvirekwi, who is out through suspension, opened the door for him.
“I had just returned from a Dynamos training session when the manager called me advising that I would be part of the programme for the Guinea game.
“It came as a shock and I panicked as soon as Mussa broke the news. I felt sweat dripping and the next thing I did was to inform my sister, Enesia,” says Murwira.
The Dynamos man is not under any illusions.
He appreciates that Zvirekwi is the first choice right-back but does not shy away from talking about his desire to make the journey to Gabon for Afcon 2017.
“I prayed for this moment and want to make the most of this opportunity. The nation has already qualified for the Afcon finals and I want to work hard, maintain my discipline so that I can have a claim for a place in the team that goes to Gabon next year,” he asserts.
Murwira has been one of the most consistent players at a Dynamos side that is a mockery of its usual dominant self.
“I give credit to my teammates at DeMbare, they believe in me and this call up is partly due to their support. My coach, Lloyd Mutasa, has been very encouraging; he has given me the chance to showcase my talent.
“I nearly gave up at the beginning of the season but Coach Mutasa kept urging us on. We had a bad spell then but I think we are almost back on track.”
Online Reporter