By Don Makanyanga
OBEY MWERAHARI promised his late father two things, from the football pitch, but has so far managed to deliver on one.
The utility man has already fulfilled his father’s wish by playing for Dynamos. The one thing that remains is to win the league title with the Glamour Boys.
Mwerahari revealed that the need to make his father smile motivated his decision to join DeMbare from ZPC Kariba at the beginning of the 2015 season. “He was thrilled when I signed for Dynamos because it’s the team he supported,” revealed the 27-year-old player.
“When I joined the club my father told me that I was now playing for the biggest team in the country and whatever I do should befit the status of the team. “I then promised him that I will do whatever it takes to make the club and himself proud. I also promised to bring the league winner’s medal home.”
Sadly, James Mwerahari passed on in April with his son yet to deliver on the league title promise. Mwerahari has narrowly missed out on the championship twice. “I came close to fulfilling the promise in 2015 when I joined Dynamos, but it was a repeat of what had happened the previous year when I was still with ZPC Kariba. We finished second again and it hurt badly.
“However, this year I am determined to make things right,” said the former Monomotapa and ZPC Kariba man.
As usual, the off season was full drama at DeMbare this year. The future of head coach Lloyd Mutasa hung in the balance, senior players left the club and contract negotiations between Mwerahari and the club stalled.
The developments at the 22-time champions rubbed Mwerahari the wrong way and he decided to retrace his footsteps to Kariba.
However, on the day he came to collect his clearance letter from Dynamos the defender met Mutasa who convinced him to stay put.
“We had failed to agree on certain things and I was forced to look elsewhere, but when I came for my clearance I talked to Father (Mutasa) and he shared with me his grand vision of building a strong Dynamos side,” revealed Mwerahari.
“I have always believed in Father and when it comes to football and his philosophy I have got so much respect for him as I rate him second to none. “Look at how he has managed to build this team from scratch. We are not yet there but the good thing is we are already competitive and firmly in the title mix.”
Mwerahari is a marketing student with a local university but had to defer his studies to cope with the pressure that comes with playing for Dynamos.
However, he says he is now ready to resume his studies as he plans for life after football. “I am studying marketing with the Zimbabwe Open University but had taken a bit of a break because there was pressure at work,” said Mwerahari.
“I wish people knew how difficult it is to play for Dynamos especially at a time when things are not going well.
“Wherever you go you meet people who have a word or two to say. Some insult you and others threaten to assault you the next time you meet.” The Sunday Mail
