Warriors legend Cephas Chimedza has nostalgically go down the memory lane as he revisits his entry into the world’s most beautiful game.
Writing on his Facebook, Chimedza saluted Lloyd Mutasa for introducing him into competitive football at a young age.
The day Lloyd Mutasa humbled me ( I’m very grateful).
I watched a video of MWOS singing in the dressing room and Father was singing and dancing, i just said those boys are lucky to have him as a mentor…
At Dynamos when I played for the juniors the teams went up until the U17, we didn’t have the U19 like other teams.
After your U17 year if you had done well the coaches ,Clayton Muneno and Biggie Zuze and later Elvis Chiweshe alongside manager Malcom Fourie would tell you next season you are going to join the reserves.
It was a big leap if you ask me. So in 2001 whilst in form 4 and at 16 yrs i had to join the reserves. That meant training with the 1st team. My or our bedroom as i shared it with my brother was full of Dynamos posters. My favourite player at the time was Andrew Chifamba and i had his poster where he was with the Zim U23s, imagine now having to train with him. Each and everyday i was in awe with all those 1st team players, my heroes growing up.
One play stood out though and that was bla Lodza, he had that aura. He ticked all the boxes, smart (kuchena), intelligence, cool and a top top player.
He made us young guys feel welcomed but would also make sure you knew your place.
So that same year I ended up making my debut in the 1st team. Towards the end of the year for about 8 matches every time the gates opened and some people would have a chance to watch the last minutes for free Bambo would call me over and I would get some minutes.
We had an end of year awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza where all the players who played that year got a certificate (one of my most cherished souvenirs in football).
Back then whenever we (myself and some friends) had to be around a lot of people we made sure to have some “drinks”. We arrived at the function with our “soft drinks” so we were already in good mood.
As the function drew to an end Father called me over to his table, it was the high table, full of the big names. With his cheeky smile he asked me if I have ever tasted what he was drinking, gin and tonic and I said no. He said ahhhh Mboma then uri kusarira just order one.
With a big smile and in my head thinking yes I’ve made it, I’m actually a Dynamos player. Called a waitress and asked for a gin and tonic. As I was already in a special place I was getting involved in the banter and stuff.
The drink came and as I was about to mix it, Father pulled it over and said Mboma kutanga rinhi uchinwa nesu nhai, thanks for ordering a drink for me.
I sobered up fast and it was at that very moment I knew I haven’t done anything yet in football and have to know my place. Just because I have had a few games with the team didn’t mean i have made it.
I learnt a valuable lesson that day and carried it everywhere I played. First prove and earn your place.
Even when he moved to Sporting Lions and I had to play against him, I was complaining to the ref and he just said Mboma hey I just nodded and walked away.