Zimbabwean football stars and their cars

Football is off season in most parts of the world and it is interesting what the sea has driven to this side of the Zimbabwean shore.

One cannot help but give a second glance when the boys are back in town from beyond our borders. Football has its share of highly paid superstars and where there is money and boys, there are cars. A scientific explanation of the mysterious chemistry between men and cars is yet to be discovered.

The players are stealing the limelight from musicians and prophets with their swag and Saturday Lifestyle invaded the Warriors training camp before they left for the big game in Guinea.

Both local and international players opened up on their cars, new lifestyles and their most-priczd possessions.

University of Pretoria goalie Washington Arubi does not make it in the list of flashy people. In fact, the down-to-earth 27-year-old put his money into building a 12-roomed house in his hometown in Chikanga, Mutare.

Although he could not be drawn into putting a price tag on the house it was clear that it is his most prized asset to date.

“Moving Down South has come with its advantages, but I do not let it get to my head. I am humble and appreciate everything that comes with my career. I learnt from my friend who used to play for a team in South Africa. Just like many, he got carried away and would spend his earnings on fancy cars. It was great then but when his career ended that was the end of the cars too,” he said.

His “friend” might have scared the former Dynamos hunk from investing in rides but he does have a fascination for German monsters like the Volkawagen. At the moment, his “toy” is a simple Golf 4 that he rolls around with.

Midfielder Abbas Amidu (23) works hard and plays hard too. After having settled comfortably in Mzansi, the youngster has made a few acquisitions. He visibly has an eye for the finest things in life, but his parents are enjoying a piece of the cake too.

“My goal in life has been to please my parents and because of that I bought a nine-roomed house in Chitungwiza. I also gave them my VW Golf and helped to renovate my uncle’s house in Glen Norah,” he said.

And the award of the son of the year goes to . . .

Besides spoiling his family, Amidu drives around the upmarket suburb of Penina Park in Polokwane in a tight BMW 1 series. He has also acquired a stand that he plans to build a nice crib to park his BMW.

“I intend to build a house that has a gym, swimming pool and a balcony,” he said.

Tafadzwa Rusike (24) qualifies to be the most charismatic player in the national team. This trait is spread all the way to his “gadgets”.

The Cape Town-based left winger has a soft spot for Apple products and his most prized possession is not his expensive stand in Mount Pleasant but his apple iPhone 5 that is valued at a whopping US$1 500.

Rodrick Mutuma (24) is clearly in touch with his feminine side, if his love for shopping is anything to go by.

Apparently, the Bloemfontein Celtics striker has a thing for shoes but do not be alarmed, he is addicted to shopping for studs, better known locally as “shooters”, not ordinary shoes. Phew!

“I have a collection of studs that I recently started. To date, my collection is valued at 20 000 South African rands,” he said.

Mutumwa is a typical boy who fancies nice cars and his dream vehicle is a Range Rover SUV (2013). He plans to make an upgrade but as of now he owns a Honda Civic and a Toyota Corolla. His mind is set on venturing in the car business soon while we wish him the best; it is worth mentioning that his family means the world to him.

Denver Mukamba (21) recently settled at Bidvest Vits, South Africa, last season. Although it is yet to be seen where he will be banking his hard-earned money, it is no secret that his priority is taking care of his grandmother.

“My favourite car right now is a BMW X5,” he said. Our eyes are on him and we hope he strikes lady luck to acquire his dream car even though he is content with his Toyota Corolla.

Germany-based Knowledge Musona strikes many as an arrogant youngster who is not keen on entertaining strangers but one can’t take away the fact that he is basking in success.

Growing up in the dusty township of Katanga, Norton, the striker has made strides in uplifting his family. As it stands, he is a proud owner of an upmarket house in Avondale. He is known to roll in tight rides when he is in town.

Locally based players

Partson Jaure (22) rolls in a Toyota Lexus 15200, while he lives in Budiriro with his parents, his greatest wish is to his own house.

“My most prized possession are my legs. They have taken me this far so the rest is secondary,” he said.

Chicken Inn defender Felix Chidungwe might not be among highest paid players in the Warriors squad, but he is happy with a comfortable salary.

He is in fact among the happiest. Hailing from Nkulumane 12 in Bulawayo, Chindungwe dreams of owning a BMW X1.

“My family is my top priority right now over cars and other material things. They are the driving force behind my success,” he said.

And we couldn’t agree more, after all, blood is thicker than water!

The sentiments are the same with Masimba Mambare, a Highlanders player from Kwekwe. He has a soft spot for the BMW X5. Sure thing, he will look good in it once he saves up enough money to buy one. The Herald