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Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR months, a dejected Billy Veremu had to keep up appearances at eventual Castle Lager Premiership champions, Simba Bhora’s camp last year.
Going through a rollercoaster of emotions, the lanky forward now doubted his abilities resulting in him contemplating quitting the game at some point in the season.
Veremu joined Simba last season from Bulawayo Chiefs, alongside Malvin Mkolo.
Featuring for a few games at the start of season 2024, he picked an injury that placed him on the sidelines for months.
While he was away recovering, the Shamva-based side picked form and started winning games.
And by the time he got back onto the pitch, the technical team, who had been given a target of winning the championship, did not want to take chances in having him back on the team, in case it disrupted their form.
Resultantly, he always made it on the match day squad, as a substitute and got barely 15-minutes game time at every appearance he made.
As the team basked in glory, excelling with each passing week, Veremu was slowly breaking down.
Frustrations crept in yet sadly, none of his bosses noticed.
“That was a rough time for me, I kept asking myself a lot of questions and wondering if I had made a mistake by joining Simba,” said Veremu.
“They were candid to say that they did not wish to disrupt the team’s performance and that to me was an indirect way of saying they did not need me.”
With Simba Bhora having lost a number of their key players and technical staff to PSL new kids Scottland, this would have been a good chance for Veremu to finally get a chance to showcase his talent.
Yet, all he wanted was just to be out of the “Go Buju Go” camp, deliberately discarding his chances of playing at the CAF Confederations Cup, later this year.
To escape last season frustrations, Veremu, this season opted to join MWOS on loan, together with Wilson Mensah.
The two were the goal scorers at the weekend when the Norton-based side thwarted Yadah Stars 2-0 at Baobab.
Veremu, who is now the heartbeat of MWOS’ attack, has two goals to his name out of the four that the team has scored so far.
The forward appears to be enjoying a rebirth.
Ironically, he hits top form at a time when his former paymasters are struggling in front of goal, in the case of the stone that the builder rejected becoming a chief cornerstone elsewhere.
“When the loan offer came, I did not think twice . . . I felt a rejuvenation sensation and made up my mind that a new environment is certainly what I needed,” he said.
“I knew that with the departure of the other guys, I stood a good chance of claiming a spot on the team, but I did not want to take chances in case the ghost from the past came revisiting.”
Veremu is enjoying his time at MWOS, a side that he feels appreciates his experience.
With his goals, the Lloyd Mutasa mentored side had a decent start to their maiden top flight season where they sit top on the log table with seven points in three games.
They are joint leaders with second placed Ngezi, with an equal number of points and an inferior goal difference.
“I am happy that I was able to rediscover myself in a short space of time,” he said.
“I was a speedy process so now my main focus is to continue putting in an extra shift so that I maintain the form.
“It is not easy when you know that all eyes are on you, you have to work hard and lead by example.
“Generally, I enjoy playing at MWOS and I always tell myself that I need to do my best for the club, so I just aim to deliver every day.”
Online Reporter