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Danisa Masuku
Roseman Dracko Mangwiro was born to play for Gweru United and he did not play for any Premiership club except for the Under-23 national team.
The defensive midfielder joined Pisa Pisa at the age of 16.
At the time he did not have soccer boots but he trusted his bare feet and believed they would get him to the promised land.
He eventually won the heart of his coach William Sibanda. At the end of practice match the gaffer gave him soccer boots and that was priceless to him.
“I was from a humble beginning as my parents could not afford to buy me a pair of soccer boots. I decided to pursue my dream with what I had.
“Luckily after the assessment match the coach gave me soccer boots, that was a sigh of relief to me,” he shares.
“I had planned to buy the soccer boots after I got paid my first salary but God answered my prayer at the best time.”
His undoubted football artistry and ball distribution in the middle of the park earned him a place in the senior team at the age of 17.
He was one of the finest talents who became a legend at Gweru United, when Pisa Pisa were a powerful football force in the country, playing alongside the likes of Nobert Zimuto, Peter Mazarire, Takesure Tito, Wonder Chaka, Kizdo Matsika, the late Ashton Mhlanga, Knight Mate, and Jonah Murehwa.
At the time local clubs boasted of fine midfielders such as Cosmas Mackenzie who turned out for Ziscosteel, Stanford Ntini (Eagles), Kuda Muchemeyi (Dynamos), Archieford Chimuta (Black Aces), Rainos Mapfumo (Bata Power), David Mwanza (Rio Tinto), Willard Khumalo (Highlanders), Stix Mutizwa (Caps United and Black Rhinos), David Mandigora (Dynamos) and Titus Majola (Highlanders) among many talented midfielders.
Being someone who was hungry for success he was a regular for Pisa Pisa. However, he had his fair share of heartaches in Pisa Pisa colours.
“I got heart broken when we were beaten by Arcadia United 3-2 in the Chibuku final at Rufaro Stadium. That turned out to be my worst game as I performed below par and I was almost given a red card for a crude tackle on an Arcadia striker,” he recalls.
His heart bleeds when he thinks of a match when his side was drubbed 6-1 by Bulawayo Wanderers.
“Indeed it was a terrible game for us as we were humiliated 6- 1 by Bulawayo Wanderers in a league match. We were reduced to minnows and I believe the weakest point of our team during that match was the midfield department as it was depleted and the defence was not at its best on that particular day,” he shares.
Since then he did not look back as he set his eyes on the national team.
“To accomplish his dream he gave his all, as such he was noticed by Under-23 national team coaches.
“I was drafted into the national team that played against Libya,” he said.
Almost every player in the league has a favourite player, one who inspires him and makes him believe in himself, for him David Zulu was his favourite player.
Dracko was a reliable midfielder who could play as a defensive mid fielder or at times as attacking midfielder.
One of Pisa Pisa greatest supporters, Edmos Pazvakavambwa, watched Dracko from Mawunga Primary School in Gweru up to the time joined his team of choice — Gweru United.
“I started to watch Mkoma Dracko when I was 14 years old. He was a menace in the inter-schools competition.
At the time he played in the middle of the park, during that time he showed sparks of brilliance and he blossomed when he joined Gweru United,” said Pazvakavambwa.
Dracko chipped in saying his former teacher Mr Stanford Chipfumbu played an instrumental role in shaping his footballing career.
“I was discovered by Mr Chipfumbu during a school football practice match and he told me that I needed to give my all in football. I took his advice seriously, resultantly I grew to become a dependable player as I did not miss any match except on days when I was nursing an injury,” he said.
He said Pisa Pisa faced turbulent times as funds dried up, the side slipped down to the bottom of the log and eventually it was relegated to unfashionable Division One league in 1988 and he went down with it, a bitter story to tell.
Just like the ex–Manchester United football great Eric Cantona who after he was verbally abused by a supporter during the Crystal Palace match in 1995, launched himself towards a supporter in the stands and kicked him.
For the offence the Frenchman was suspended for eight months by the FA. When Pisa Pisa clashed against Bata Power a supporter launched a verbal tirade at him, he tried to contain his anger but finally he bust.
“A supporter started to hurl insults at me. I tried to ignore him but he continued and at the end I got pissed off and ran straight to him and kicked him and I had to face a month ban,” he told Sunday Life Sport.
He resumed training but he suffered a knee injury and that marked the end of his bright footballing career at the age of 27.
He then got a job at Dairiboard where he worked as a quality controller and worked for the company for almost 30 years.
At the moment he lives in Chitungizwa, Harare and he now make ends meet by running a business of selling items.
Factfile
Dracko was born in 1963.
He is married to Irene Phungu.
The couple is blessed with three children namely Timothy (31), Kingston (27), and Kudakwashe (16) doing Form 4 at Zengeza High in Harare.
His family worships at United Family International Church (UFIC).
Online Reporter