By Rex Mphisa
IN a rare and heartwarming display of investment in his players’ futures, a Beitbridge soccer team manager took the initiative to fund a driving course for defender Tanyaradzwa “Sobho” Mataranyika.
Sebastian Mhondiwa, fondly known as Apostle Seba’s gesture not only challenges other well positioned members of the society to take leaf but speaks volumes of the fallback plan for many players after life on the soccer pitch fades.
It also reflects on player retention plans for Dulibadzimu United FC which at mid-season lost 10 player to teams that are well funded because it can hardly pay signing on fees.
“Am so proud of…Am so happy..Eish i cant express my feelings. Sobho got class 4 license today @4th time (fourth attempt). I hope God remembers me,” Apostle Seba posted on Dulibadzimu United FC Executive WhatsApp group.
Ben Matura, another manager of the team plying its trade in the Zifa Central Region Division One immediately responded: ” Thank you brother. May God richly bless you.”
Another manager Taka C also heaped praise on Apostle Seba and said: “That’s excellent , well done to Sobho.’
Different team managers took turns to congratulate both Apostle Seba and Sobho on the achievement.
“This thoughtful gesture not only demonstrates the manager’s commitment to the player’s well-being but also highlights the importance of having a fallback plan after a soccer career,” said Loud Ramakgapola who is the Town Clerk at Beitbridge.
“For many soccer players, the dream of making it to the top tier of the sport is a lifelong passion. However, the reality is that only a small percentage of players achieve this goal.
“Injuries, lack of opportunities, or simply not being good enough can all be barriers to a successful soccer career. By funding the player’s driver’s license, the manager is providing a practical solution to ensure the player’s future, regardless of their soccer career trajectory,” he said.
By investing in the player’s driver’s license, the manager is demonstrating a commitment to the player’s long-term well-being. This gesture shows that the manager values the player not just as an athlete but as an individual with a future beyond soccer, he said.
Tales of soccer players falling on hard times after their playing life is gone are many and as regular as they come.
While many prominent Zimbabwean football stars maintain successful careers, Nyasha Chazika is a documented example of a former Dynamos captain who fell on hard times, struggling with drug abuse and social difficulties after his playing days.
The challenges faced by former players are a common issue in football globally, often linked to issues such as financial mismanagement, lack of support networks, and personal struggles that can lead to drug addiction and other difficulties, as seen in Chazika’s case
Apostle Seba’s decision is a thoughtful and practical investment in the player’s future and highlights the importance of planning for life after soccer and demonstrates the manager’s commitment to the player’s overall well-being.
Apostle Seba is one of tye many Beitbridge residents that have adopted Dulibadzimu United FC player’s as their “children” to ease burdens on the stars playing for a community team.