FORMER Hwange and Blue Waters FC (Namibian) defender Goodson Mutimba has urged football players to desist from taking alcohol and drugs with the mentality of enhancing performance as this will negatively impact on their careers.
Speaking to The Sports Hub from his base in Namibia, Mutimba, a hard tackling defender during his days heavily emphasised the importance of playing football without any enhancement.
“To create a name for yourself, as a player you need to put all your energy into training in preparation for the games. Like in my scenario I used to have a personal trainer, who would take me on all the drills needed to be fit.
“I would train in the morning [8-10am] and later in the afternoon [2-4pm]. I used to go to a certain hill just to keep myself very strong.
“It’s shocking to note that so many players are taking drugs in the sense of increasing their performance in the field of play. As a matter of fact, such players would be destroying their football careers,” he said.
Mutimba made a debut in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 2000 at Hwange FC popularly known as Chipangano at the age of 22, in a star-studied team which had house names such as Chenjerai Dube, Method Mwanjali, Mailos Phiri and Nation Dube just to mention a few.
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“My first match donning the Hwange jersey was against Caps United at the Wankie Colliery Stadium at home. I came in as a substitute in the last 20 minutes unfortunately I did not last longer as I was red-carded for an unfair challenge," he said.
“I was really devastated, but things got better with time as the club had very good and understanding players, who quickly comforted me and I picked myself up.
“At Chipangano passion, commitment and dedication was my driving force in every game. We played like a family because the team was united and played for a purpose - winning.”
The 46-year-old left Hwange in 2005. He went on to join Blue Waters FC “The birds”, one of the oldest clubs in Namibia, Walvis Bay town which is 2 149km from Harare by road. By that time Blue Waters was coached by Shepherd Murape.
“I left Hwange because I thought I was ripe to play in any foreign club. I got the opportunity to sign for Blue Waters FC based in Walvis Bay, Namibia.”
He added: “I played for 10 years at Blue Waters. I made a very big mark at the club and decided to quit football at the age of 37 after making some notable achievements.”
Currently Mutimba is still into football and is a holder of a coaching certificate and plans to do more coaching clinic courses. He plans to one day come home and plough back into the community his knowledge.
“I have an introduction to coaching certificate and very soon I will be attending a CAF C licence. My main intention is that one day I will come back to Zimbabwe and also empower the community with all the knowledge I have acquired in Namibia.
“At the moment I am a juniors coach at Genesis Academy.
“My wish is one day to coach Hwange FC, a team that is always with my heart,” he explained.
AIthough Mutimba retired from football nine years ago he still feels a PSL match against his junior club Lancashire Steel “Chimbi Chimbi Boys” remains his most memorable game.
“My most memorable match remains the one against my former junior club who, never gave me the chance to showcase my talent in the first team. I gave them a torrid time when I was turning out for Hwange FC.
“I made sure that I must outshine and punish them for not giving me any playing time at their club. We went on to beat them 2-0 at their homeground. It was a sweet victory,” he said.
Mutimba did his education at Chiedza Primary School in Kwekwe and attended Alheit High School in Gutu for secondary where he also left a good record of playing good football.
He also had a dance with division one teams Kwekwe Stars and Chrome Stars.