ONE OF FOOTBALL’S FEEL GOOD STORIES
Bruce Chikuni in SHAMVA
HARDLIFE Zvirekwi has the heart of a lion.
His journey to win the ZIFA Northern Region Division One championship is a story of fairy tales.
Four years ago, the 35-year-old was written off, after he was involved in a serious accident, which led to the amputation of his left hand.
Many tipped the former Warriors’ man to throw in the towel.
And, to imagine that his right back position requires patrolling the flank and taking throw-ins, it was a hard pill to swallow.
He battled his way back, after a lengthy period on the sidelines.
But, nothing was the same anymore as the top-flight league turned out to be a different beast for the industrious defender.
He was criticised left, right and centre in the domestic football circles, with only a few fighting in his corner.
Life at CAPS United became unbearable.
But, like a true Warrior, who also won the 2016 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year, he kept fighting.
Somehow, the club’s technical team had a different thought and he was shown the door at the end of the 2019 season.
Zvirekwi then tried his luck at Harare City but they were not impressed.
Simba Bhora was his next destination, and he has been one of the Northern Region’s outstanding players.
He is a contender for the individual best prize after he was named in the league’s Best XI.
Maybe, it was a blessing in disguise that he got rejected by two teams, which could play Division One football, next season, should they continue to drop points.
The jubilant Zvirekwi said he is hungry to show the world that nothing is impossible.
“I’m very happy to have won this championship.
“It was a tough race, and we were playing every game like a final, which helped us.
“I’m happy that I also inspired someone, who will learn something out of my situation and I’m not done,” said Zvirekwi.
He said the backlash he went through made him stronger.
“You can’t please everyone and people have different views.
“Most of the time, I would hear people shouting and talking negative things about me, but I never gave them attention.
“We have achieved our objectives and I want to thank the Almighty, for giving me the strength.
“I have a supportive family and friends, they are always pushing me to the limits.”
This is also the first time in the country that a physically-challenged player has won a championship in a competitive league.
Zvirekwi appears to be demystifying the negative narrative some have towards people living with disabilities.
Source: H-Metro
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