Alois Bunjira
27 September 2008
Johannesburg — We are now about three weeks into the new season and Esrom Nyandoro, Onismo Bhasera and Tinashe Nengomasha have so far been doing well.
There have been few player movements this season. Sadly, there was no high-profile move for the first time in many seasons. But the shock move was that of Ralph Matema, who has been loaned out by Orlando Pirates to First Division outfit Witbank Aces. The team already has Peter and Patrick Mubaiwa, and Ali Sadiki -- a strong Zimbabwean representation there.
Matema didn't play a lot of matches at Pirates. After his high-profile move from Highlanders, a lot was expected of him. Injuries were also not kind to him as he finished the season with a bad hamstring.
Also moving down the ranks was former Dynamos favourite, Evans Gwekwerere. He has now joined my club FC AK on a two-year contract after being released by Moroka Swallows. He is another youngster who didn't live-up to his billing. A lot was expected from him after all the popularity at DeMbare; he is a talented.
I am working with him everyday and might have noticed what could end up his downfall. He is not a hard worker. He doesn't put much effort into what he does and expects things to just happen. I talked to him extensively about it and hopefully, we will see some changes in him this season.
Making a move down here as well is Edmore Tafadzwa Guri. He has joined Cape Town First Division outfit, Ikapa Sporting. He is a versatile, strong midfielder. I stayed with him for almost six months when he arrived after the window period was closed. He is a very ambitious young man with a cool head. I bet he will go far once he finds his footing -- he's one for the future.
Kingston Nkata is another highly rated Zimbabwean youngster who has disappointed. He joined Free State Stars after a spectaculaar season in Zimbabwe with CAPS FC. Now he has been loaned out to First Division club Carara Kickers.
I'm sure you guys have also noticed this downward movement of young Zimbabwean players. Not a single one of them has set the stage alight here.
The last generation to do that included Nengomashe, Bhasera and Nyandoro. What's happening to today's youngsters? When we came here, we set the stage ablaze, winning awards on offer at our respective clubs. Think of the Mugeyis -- William and Wilfred --, John Mbidzo, Ian Gorowa, Innocent Chikoya, Edelbert Dinha, Stewart Murisa, Benjani Mwaruwaru, Charles Yohane, Zvenyika Makonese. No one came here and flopped at the time.
Now the best these upcoming players are doing is to join us in the First Division. And a lot more have come for trials and failed to make it. We want to see them performing at the highest level here. That way, the future of our football would be in good hands. Their performance lately suggests the future of our soccer is not promising.
Talk of disappointments reminds me of Clement Matawu. When is this young man going to move abroad and further his career? For how long is he going to play for Motor Action? He is not getting any younger; he can't sit there waiting for a big European move that is, obviously, not coming. What will he tell his grandchildren when he retires with that under-utilized talent? That he was a very good player, could have played anywhere in the world but was very loyal to Motor Action? Man, it's his life we talking about here!
He must go out there and make money while his legs can still carry him. Soccer is a very short career. I am sure he doesn't want to live with regrets later.
My team wanted to buy him but an astronomical figure was put on his head. If he doesn't stand up for himself, he will stay there until he retires and we will all wonder at what could have been.
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