Andrew
Sports Reporter
FOR former Zimbabwe international Edward Sadomba says a healthy lifestyle, hard work and discipline are the ingredients for longevity in a professional football career.
The ex-talismanic forward for Dynamos, Mozambique’s Liga Muculmana and Sudanese giants Al Hilal at the peak of his playing career, is, however, agonising over the fact that some players plying their trade in the domestic Premiership have been battling substance abuse.
The 38-year-old, who began his career at the Agatha Sheneti Soccer Academy in Harare, is now also an ambassador for Al Hilal, a club he served with distinction and earned legendary status in Sudan.
He is now on a crusade to advocate for centres where athletes can be counselled.
“I have been hearing and reading a lot about drug abuse beginning to affect some of our football players.
“If that kind of news is true regarding local players, then that is very sad because drugs will affect one’s performance, cutting their career short even without injury and affecting their life.
“It also impacts on the lives of people around them,” Sadomba said.
“The issue of drug abuse is affecting many; people are dying while still very young.
“I personally think there is urgent need to spread the word regarding the dangers of drugs to oneself and to the community by introducing family, school and community-based drug prevention programmes and resuscitation of sport and recreation centres.”
As he wound up his long playing career, which also included a brief stint at Bidvest Wits in South Africa and in Libya, he returned home and captained Dynamos in 2019.
He subsequently retired two years ago.
Although DeMbare struggled in the 2019 season, eventually costing coach Lloyd Chigowe his job, Sadomba believes the Harare giants have regrouped this season.
He backs them to succeed in their quest to end their long championship drought.
Dynamos have not won the league title since 2014 when Kalisto Pasuwa led them to the last of four successive titles with the Glamour Boys.
“Dynamos have done well so far, they have a good coach and good players who have the potential to win the league,’’ he said.
He has seen enough so far to be convinced that Dynamos could win domestic honours and return to the Champions League.
“Credit goes also to the sponsors (Sakunda Holdings) who have been providing financial aid to the club in these difficult times.
“My wish is to see stability at the club and for the team to be back to play CAF Champions League football.”
Although he hung up his boots, he is still in the game’s trenches.
He is currently team manager of Northern Region Soccer League army side Commando Bullets.
“I am still involved in football and other issues that are outside football.
“It’s an interesting opportunity,’’ he said of his role at Commando Bullets.
“The task was made easy given that I am working with determined players, coaches and a committed administration.”
He has also continued with his philanthropy via the Edward Sadomba Foundation, which caters mostly for underprivileged children in Mbare.
“The foundation is still working very well and this year we are launching the Edward Sadomba Foundation Youth Games.
“It is an initiative through sport to keep youths off drugs, prevent youth crime and avoiding early child marriage for the girl-child by educating them and helping them realise their dreams.
“Sport really does changes lives.”
After emerging the CAF Champions League top scorer in 2011 and being a serial Sudanese championship winner with Al Hilal, Sadomba rose to stardom in the north-eastern African country.
He also top-scored in the CAF Confederation in 2012 and was ranked the fourth all-time top scorers for the continental inter-club competition.
He hopes to impart some of his experience and knowledge to budding stars of the game.
Online Reporter