Diary of a footballer’s wife

and she should know. After all, they have been married for seven years and have been together through the highs and lows of a career that has taken them from Mbare to the bright lights of the United Arab Emirates.

And Sherlynn is not your average footballer’s wife. She is studying for her second degree, a law degree, after she completed her Honours degree in Psychology at the University of Zimbabwe in 2008.
She remembers how her relationship with Edward started.

“I had just come to their hood to visit my grandma during my O- Level vacation and l kept being told about a guy who really liked me and I was so fascinated by his character because we were opposites in so many ways,” said Sherlynn.

“But we blended so well, then a couple of conversations led to a date then a relationship and what do you know, seven years later we were getting married.

“And this is 13 years later we have two amazing boys and still happily married. We thank God for sustaining our marriage.
“By the time I was in ‘varsity’ there were friends and some relatives who felt he wasn’t good enough for me but not once did that ever make any sense to me because I was in love and there wouldn’t be anybody to talk me out of it.

“Actually, l look back and try to picture it out and I am so glad I never had time for all that because it’s ridiculous to stereotype men based on careers and status, they are all different and the basis of our connection wasn’t status. We were just two young adults in love.”
Some parents in Zimbabwe have issues with their daughters dating a football star.
Did Sherlynn face the same problems?

“I have the most amazing parents, they weren’t even moved by my husband’s career.
“They were mainly bothered by my readiness to settle down and their fears were basically on if the man I was going to marry would treat me right,” she says.

“I never fancied soccer, I didn’t even know playing football was a big deal. I have dreams, plans and goals that I am  yet to achieve and they are the kind of dreams that wouldn’t be changed by the genius of a man I would marry. Every marriage has its own challenges but the media spotlight has given me more reason to act responsibly.

“People have expectations when they picture my husband. He is a people’s person and that has given me the urge to better myself, mould my character because I have a role to represent him as his wife and that on its own demands a lot of personality amendments and self analysis.

“One of the hard things about being married to a popular figure is trying to guide our husbands from making bad decisions and fighting the battles spiritually. I have learnt to trust in the Lord in keeping my family together in this crazy world with women who are willing to do anything to wreck households and play mistress for money.”

She says they have had their challenges but have found the spirit to confront them.
“There are times when you want space and privacy with your family but that just won’t happen . . . we had a lot of those times in Sudan, so much we hardly ever went to public places though we really wanted to,” said Sherlynn.

“I have created a bond with the majority of the Dynamos 2008 team WAGs (Wives And Girlfriends) and since then the social group gets bigger and we always find time during season breaks to do braais and humanitarian programmes together.

“And with the foreign WAGs we usually go for trips with the kids while our husbands are in pre-season camp and this year we will hopefully visit Italy.

“Moving is always a nightmare, I am glad my kids don’t seem to be upset when we move. Getting acquainted to a place, especially a place that turns out to be so different from home, can be overwhelming.

“We have been to many countries but home is best and we always move with the kids. Just being far from home is hard on its own and having to meet people and develop relationships and all of a sudden leave is disturbing too.

“But it’s been fun visiting all the countries we have been to.” Sherlynn says her husband is always dreaming big and keeps challenging himself to do better.

“Edward understands that reaching potential is more important than reaching goals.
“He dreams big and keeps challenging himself to achieve better,” said Sherlynn.

“He has his own policy that is founded on biblical terms to never tire in doing well because in due season we shall reap as long as we don’t faint. 
“If he wasn’t a footballer he would be a diplomat, it doesn’t take a high-profile academic to figure out the dos and don’ts of life, he is not perfect but he is constantly ever trying to be a better role model for the boys and then again a man who strives to please God is set apart from obnoxious and whimsical behaviour because the things that please God produce noticeable fruits that bring glory to God.

“We are working so hard to produce outcome to eventually settle in Zimbabwe and pursue greater goals in our respective callings, ministry-wise and career-wise.

“There is no greater fulfilment than to fulfil your God-given purpose and do everything for the glory of God so we always pray that we raise our children to be a blessing to their generation. What we have isn’t all that much but this honestly is not meant to undermine the things God has blessed us with, I am really grateful.”

It hasn’t always smooth-sailing for the couple.
“We have suffered a great deal of losses ourselves, only ours haven’t taken us down to poverty but there is a lot to learn if you have to move up the ladder. Poverty we know, abundance we also know,” said Sherlynn.

“It is all about keeping your heads cool but the key principle for us is tithing, giving back God’s portion safeguards the rest of what we receive and remember, we don’t work to leave inheritance for our kids only but if possible, for our children’s children.
“And we just have each other to caution and advise so it’s been great team work.”

So how is Edward Sadomba as a father?
“He is an amazing dad and spends most of his time with the boys, and very keen on training the boys in the Lord and values his meditation time,” said Sherlynn.

“He is a very lazy guy at home but amazingly becomes the complete opposite as soon as he gets on the field and the gym.”

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