LEGENDARY Zimbabwe footballer, Moses "Bambo" Chunga gave Eastern Region Division 1 side, Grayham FC more than what they bargained for when they invited him as a guest speaker during their end of season awards at Mutangadura Leisure and Hide Out Centre off Mutare Road on Unity Day.
The former Dynamos and Warriors prolific goal scorer who earned the golden boot for a record 46 goals in 1986, three years after joining DeMbare started off his speech by apologising.
A chauffeur assigned to pick him up by the organisers of the event showed up three hours after the scheduled time and in true Bambo style, he had something to say about it.
"I would like to apologise for keeping you waiting, I played my football in Belgium and I'm very time conscious but pana Soko Murehwa vauyawo kunonditora ne nguva yavo (my assigned driver did not adhere to the agreed time," said Chunga to a thunderous applause.
"If you want to make it as a footballer, you have to be cognizant of the environment around you, be respectful to everyone regardless of position, age or stature. It is these small little things that matter in life."
The Premiership winning coach with Gunners Football Club in 2009 revealed the juju that made him a household name during his hey days.
"Is there anyone who wants juju to be a successful footballer?" Chunga asked the youthful Grayham FC players.
"You are as good as you train, that's the only football juju that I know about. Dedicate yourselves to rigorous, but effective training methods that way you will never go wrong."
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Chunga, one of the first few exports to Europe, had successful stints in Belgium. He also captained the Warriors team that came within a game to qualify for the 1992 Afcon finals; a believer in young and raw talent offered the youngsters a passage into South Africa.
He is also prominent for his talent identification project that culminated into the famous Kidzet project that brought about players such as Samson Choruwa, Eddy Mashiri and Norman Maroto.
"I have several clubs in South Africa that have asked me to recruit players on their behalf, but I have to protect my CV by bringing in quality players so here lies an opportunity for you to make it big down South," he added.
"A lot of untapped talent has been lost in the drain due to social ills such as drug and substance abuse, we all know guka and mutoriro, let's stay away from these harmful substances."
Local businessman George Laita was the guest of honour.
Grayham FC chairperson, Gray Hama pledged to continue supporting his players towards their goal of playing in the Premiership. "We are privileged to have icons such as Bambo Chunga in our midst and your motivation and encouragement will go a long way in shaping our dream of playing in the Premier League in the not-so-distant future," said Hama.
"We will continue to punch above our weight to sustain our football operations and make this club successful."
His wife, Miriam who is the finance director said for as long as the financial tap keeps flowing, the club will remain a priority.
