Maxwell ‘MaRhino’ Dube turns 40…. celebrates with UK bash

Former Chapungu, Dynamos, Warriors and 2001 Soccer Star of the Year, Maxwell ‘MaRhino’ Dube, recently turned 40 and celebrated in style by hosting a birthday bash in Leicester (United Kingdom) attended by several former football stars.

Those who came to support ‘MaRhino’ included Liberty Masunda, George Mbwando, Brian Badza among others. The party itself was an emotional occasion as Dube’s wife narrated the challenges they faced in getting “MaRhino” to join her in the UK after years of trying.

In a hilarious speech that left the crowd in stitches, Dube’s wife narrated how she met him when she was in Form 1 and the footballer was doing his Form 3 in Gweru. The shy ‘MaRhino’ asked her out via an intermediary and the rest as they say, was history. 

Dube made his debut for Gweru based Chapungu in 1993. Years later he broke the local transfer record when he moved on loan to giants Dynamos for ZW$25 million. Three years after the move, Dube was crowned the 2001 Soccer Star of the Year.

“I do not regret not playing in Europe,” Dube said in a 2013 interview.

“I believe that is what God planned for me, although I had opportunities to try my luck in Europe there were always transfer fee disagreements between my team [Chapungu] and the other parties denied me that opportunity.”

“I also had many offers from South Africa, but my team asked for too much which caused some teams to disagree with the terms and conditions wanted by Chapungu,” he said.

“Winning the Soccer Star of the Year award was one of the best moments in my career and I could not believe it when I walked to the podium. I remember when Charles Mabika asked me to give a speech, I spoke briefly because I was still in a state of shock and all the cameras were on me. I was so excited and on the top of the world,” Dube said.