Story by Lawrence Trusida
FORMER Dynamos striker Roderick Mutuma has made an emotional return to the Glamour Boys after being brought in to motivate the squad ahead of Sunday’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against log leaders Hardrock at Chahwanda Stadium.
The 38-year-old remains one of the most recognisable figures to have worn the famous blue jersey, having won three league titles with Dynamos during two successful spells at the club.
Mutuma, whose once-promising career was affected by drug addiction, has been away from top-flight football in recent years before resurfacing at Division Two side Norton Big Boys, a club helping former footballers battling drug and substance abuse challenges.
Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe believes Mutuma’s experience, winning mentality and understanding of the pressures associated with playing for the Harare giants could inspire the current squad ahead of the high-stakes encounter against Hardrock.
“He has been there before and succeeded, so we want him to tell the boys the demands of playing for Dynamos and what it takes to be successful,” Mangombe said.
Mutuma used the opportunity to urge players to remain disciplined on and off the pitch.
“It is discipline that is needed as a player, and discipline starts at home before you go to the ground. Most players have lost direction because of a lack of discipline, so I am encouraging them to do the right thing and approach matches without fear because this is Dynamos,” he said.
The former striker is among a rare group of players to have featured for Zimbabwe’s traditional football giants CAPS United, Dynamos and Highlanders before playing outside the country for South African side Bloemfontein Celtic and FC Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dynamos head into Sunday’s encounter under pressure after managing just one win in their last five league matches, while Hardrock sit comfortably at the top of the table after winning three matches during the same period.
