adminI HAVE seen my fair share of own goals but Steven Alimenda’s effort will take some to beat.
Own goals are confusing in nature and Alimenda didn’t help matters by being theatrical before and after beating his own goalie Tatenda Mukuruva during last weekend’s 1-all draw between his Dynamos and Tsholotsho.
Decades from now, those of us who will still be around will refer to that episode when the usual “football was better back in the day” debate crops up.
We will refer to Alimenda in the same manner some refer to Patrick Chapoterera, Angirayi Chapo, Melusi Nkiwane and all the other former players that feature in our football discussions.
God knows what Alimenda will be doing then.
All we can hope for is it will be something worthwhile, something that will not place him in the basket of bitter former players.
The sad death of Willard Mashinkila Khumalo once again brought to the fore the bitterness among some of our former players who believe the club they played for owes them something long after hanging their boots.
We even had suggestions that Zifa should look into the plight of former players.
How is Zifa expected to do that?
It’s a tricky terrain this one but someone has to say it.
Our players need to make hay while the sun is shining, making some dollar even if it means playing in a league that does not bring fame like the Absa Premiership in South Africa.
Edward Sadomba looks set up for life after years of playing in Mozambique, Sudan and even the war ravaged Libya.
Justice Majabvi, Thabani Kamusoko and Donald Ngoma are earning much more in Tanzania than most of their countrymen who are doing business in Mzansi.
Our players should be taught to follow the money because it’s all about the benjamins —yes that guy you find on the United States dollar note.
Football is a very short career and bad decisions will haunt you to the grave.
Francis Shonhayi — a revered defender during his time — died a pauper across the Limpopo.
Yours truly will never forget Zvenyika Makonese telling ZBC Newshour: “Tokumbirawo mhuri yeZimbabwe kuti itibatsire nemari tikwanise kutakura mutumbi wemumwe wedu kuti uuye kumusha. (We are appealing for help to ferry our friend’s body back home)”
Having seen first hand how life can turn nasty if one does not invest properly during his playing days, many would have expected Makonese to draw some valuable lessons from the Shonhayi case.
Well the former Orlando Pirates man appears to have learnt nothing from that episode, his life is a sorry tale.
I don’t know much about Willard Khumalo’s life during his last days but revelations that the legend felt sidelined by the game he gave so much to had my heart bleeding.
But then I found myself asking what is it that the game owes its former players?
Nothing but gratitude, I presume.
Now gratitude and respect is something the game didn’t give Mahwii.
But why don’t we celebrate our living heroes?
Did we think we would have Mahwii forever?
What stopped us from telling Khumalo — whilst he was still alive — that he was a football legend, a brand that will forever be engraved in our football history?
What is wrong with telling Peter Ndlovu today, when he is still breathing, that he was one of the best Warriors skippers we have ever had?
How about telling Moses “Bambo” Chunga that we are yet to come across a man as outrageously skilled as he was?
Va Shagare exits the scene.
VaShagare is the founder of DeMbare DotComs and can be contacted on that Facebook page as well as the email [email protected].
Online Reporter