Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
DURING the period just after the Covid-19 pandemic, Garikai Dematsika was staring into the football abyss, carrying physical and emotional scars from a knock that he felt had decided his fate.
Just before turning 20, a career that had promised so much appeared to be over before it had begun.
An ambitious move to South Africa, designed to take the talented midfielder closer to his dream of playing at a higher level, had instead ended in heartbreak after he suffered a serious injury during trials.
“It was terrible and I thought I would never play football again,” Dematsika recalls.
“I spent some time out and had almost lost hope.”
For a young man who had spent most of his life chasing a football dream, it was a crushing blow.
However, friends who believed in his talent kept encouraging him.
And at a time when he had almost convinced himself that his football dream was over, a helping hand from one of Zimbabwe football’s most respected figures changed the course of his life, all thanks to Stanford Stix Mutizwa.
One day, a phone call that would change everything came from friend, Ramson Jokomo, who informed him about trials being conducted by Black Rhinos ahead of the 2023 PSL season. Since, hope had since vanished in his mind, Dematsika lackadaisically pursued the initiative and arrived late, when the trials had already ended.
Yet fate had one final twist in store.
Somehow, then Black Rhinos coach Mutizwa and his assistant Charles Mutero decided to give him a chance after his name had ringed familiar.
Previously, Mutizwa had coached a player by the name Lloyd Dematsika. But little did he know he had a footballing son.
“I knew Lloyd as a brilliant defender. So, when he told me that he was his son, I said let me take a look.
“So, that’s how we started working with Garikai. It’s always easy to notice talent even when you have one chance to look at a player. He was good on the ball and blessed with a great frame,” says Mutizwa, who has now coached both father and son.
“Since his father was a defender, I had also wanted to push him into that position because I thought no-one would push him off the ball with that kind of frame.
“But he insisted he was not a defender but a striker. So, we played him as a striker that season. Later on, when he left Rhinos, he changed to midfield,” Mutizwa explains.
Although Rhinos went on to be relegated, the encounter with Mutizwa provided the needed tonic to revive a career hanging by a thread.
Manica Diamonds secured his services for the 2024 season before GreenFuel took him in 2025. The midfielder kept improving with every stop, and his biggest breakthrough arrived at FC Platinum.
He has been among the most talked-about players in the PSL for his commanding displays in midfield this season despite the side experiencing a subdued campaign.
His composure on the ball, ability to dictate play and relentless work rate have made him a key figure in Zvishavane.
“The people at FC Platinum welcomed me well and it was not difficult to gel into the team because of that love. I am focusing on my game and delivering for the team.”
Dematsika says the praise he has received from the football community is both humbling and motivating, and thanks to a timely lifeline from Mutizwa, who breathed belief into the midfielder.
“I knew from the beginning that this boy could go far if he receives the right kind of coaching and maintains the right attitude. He has to continue working hard,” says Mutizwa.
Former FC Platinum coach Joel Luphahla was equally convinced that Dematsika’s best years still lie ahead.
“A humble boy; he trains the way he plays and is loved by his teammates,” said Luphahla.
“I was actually surprised no team moved for him when GreenFuel were relegated. So, when I came (to FC Platinum), he was my first signing and you can see why.”
Yet even with all the praise, Dematsika remains grounded.
The sport runs deep within his family. From a young age, Dematsika wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“He has always been an inspiration and I wanted to emulate him,” he said.
His younger brother Terrence, 23, is also pursuing a career in the sport and currently plays for Division Two side, Bakers Inn.
Growing up in Mufakose, one of Harare’s most productive football communities, Dematsika took his first football lessons under Ernest Makotsa before joining Ernest Chirambadare’s Revival Football Academy.
He also represented Makundano Primary School from grade 5 and Mufakose High 2.
The Mufakose football culture left a huge impression on him. Like many youngsters from the suburb, he admired local topflight football products such as Ramson Zhuwawo, Khama Billiat, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Blessing Moyo and Dominic Chungwa.
“I wanted to emulate these guys. They were an inspiration to many of us as we grew up,” he says.
After school, Dematsika joined Black Rhinos and rose through the Under-17, Under-20 and reserve sides. He also played for Herentals in Division 2, under Paul Benza.
He later turned out for Surrey and Mutare City as he searched for opportunities to establish himself. Then came the injury setback.
Now at 25, he wants to carry the family name to greater heights.
“I look forward to playing at a higher level and also to put my country on the map, with God’s grace. So, I keep on working hard.”
