Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE last couple of days have not been rosy for Kenneth Pasuwa, son of legendary former Zimbabwe and Dynamos coach Kalisto.
Kenneth Pasuwa feared for his father’s life at a time he was also battling against a knee injury that kept him out of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action for three weeks.
His team, Kwekwe United, keeps sinking deeper into the relegation zone, while the future of the financially troubled Midlands side is now a serious cause for concern.
As a chip off the old Pasuwa, a central midfielder like his father during his heyday is back in domestic football with Kwekwe United after a stint with Malawi giants Nyasa Bullets, where he played under his father.
His father, who is now in charge of Malawi senior team, spent four days in an intensive care unit (ICU) in a Pretoria hospital in South Africa after suffering a huge scare, which was later diagnosed as pulmonary embolism.
The seasoned coach, who blazed the trail at Dynamos and at Nyasa Big Bullets, leading the two clubs to a combined nine championship titles, had guided Malawi to a 1-0, first-leg lead in an Africa Championship of Nations qualifier against South Africa.
Kalisto then fell ill on arrival in South Africa and resultantly missed the Flames’ 0-2 defeat by Bafana Bafana at Loftus Versveld on May 11 following his hospitalisation.
That defeat ended Malawi’s hopes of qualifying for the CHAN tournament scheduled for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in August.
Kalisto, the last coach to guide Dynamos to the league championship in 2014, quietly returned home at the weekend from where he is recuperating and watched from a distance as the house that he led to four straight titles was burning, weighed down by a fallout between the supporters and the leadership and a poor start to the season.
His son’s team, Kwekwe United, have not fared any better than DeMbare, as they are now the certified punching bags in the league.
They succumbed to a 0-4 drubbing at the hands of MWOS at Ngoni last weekend to remain rooted at the bottom of the 18-team table.
Kwekwe United are struggling on and off the field.
While financial challenges have already forced the Midlands side to abandon one match, on the field Kwekwe have poor statistics.
They have one win in 12 matches and have already conceded 26 times, a rate of 2.2 goals per match.
Their only win was against Bikita Minerals on March 15.
However, Kenneth believes Kwekwe United presents him with an opportunity “to right the wrongs” of the past.
While his father, Kalisto, reached the pinnacle of local football during his playing days, reaching the 1998 CAF Champions League final with Dynamos, Kenneth is yet to realise his full potential.
The 26-year-old’s career has been blighted by injuries.
So far, he has featured only thrice for Kwekwe United, thanks to a combination of a knee injury and clearance issues.
“Kwekwe United offers me a good opportunity to pick myself up again.
“Yes, things might not be going on well at our club, but I am convinced I can showcase my talent here,” Kenneth said.
He has fully recovered from a knee injury sustained during the goalless draw against Dynamos at Rufaro on April 27.
In Kwekwe’s last assignment at MWOS over the weekend, Kenneth was an unused substitute.
“I am fully fit now and hoping to get more minutes.
“I am looking forward to the upcoming match against TelOne. We need to remain focused because anything can happen in football,” said Kenneth.
Working under his father in Malawi helped shape his character.
He is also inspired by his father’s achievements and dreams of playing for Dynamos, who are now being coached by former Kwekwe United gaffer Saul Chaminuka.
Coincidentally, Chaminuka, an ex-Warriors assistant to Kalisto, is a close ally of Kenneth’s father.
“Working under your father is rather awkward, but it pushes you to perform so that you don’t disappoint or expose him.
“But I learnt a lot from my father.
Being coached by a father, who is one of the best coaches around, motivates me a lot.
“That’s why I dream of playing for Dynamos, but for now my focus is on Kwekwe United.
“Dynamos is like a family team; my father belongs there even though he is now in Malawi.
“But for now I want to start afresh and refocus,” added Kenneth.
