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Sharuko on Saturday
STEVEN Gerrard made his Liverpool debut in 1998, exactly 20 years after Joel Shambo played his first game for CAPS United, and their distinguished careers — driving their beloved clubs from the heart of midfield — followed a distinctly similar path.

The iconic Stevie G is as old as independent Zimbabwe, born in Merseyside on May 30 1980, and by the time he leaves Anfield, he would have spent his entire Premiership career, spanning 17 years, at Liverpool.

He has been a shining beacon of loyalty, in turbulent times when players’ allegiance to clubs, and by extension the fans who support these teams, is as rare as a controversy-free Soccer Star of the Year ceremony.

Twice Stevie was offered megabucks by Roman Abramovich, to leave Liverpool and join the Russian’s Chelsea bandwagon, and twice he refused to leave Anfield, arguing that he had such a special bond with Liverpool, the Kop and all those fans who sing “You Will Never Walk Alone”, it could not be broken by money.

Yesterday, as he finally announced that he was leaving Liverpool, he made it clear that he would not sign for a club in England because the idea of him playing against a team that means so much to him, whose fans have given him so much, was simply out of question.

“This has been the toughest decision of my life and one which both me and my family have agonised over for a good deal of time,” Gerrard said in a statement.

“Liverpool Football Club has been such a huge part of all our lives for so long and saying goodbye is going to be difficult, but I feel it’s something that’s in the best interests of all involved, including my family and the club itself.

‘I’M GOING TO CARRY ON PLAYING AND ALTHOUGH I CAN’T CONFIRM AT THIS STAGE WHERE THAT WILL BE, I CAN SAY IT WILL BE SOMEWHERE THAT MEANS I WON’T BE PLAYING FOR A COMPETING CLUB AND WILL NOT THEREFORE BE LINING UP AGAINST LIVERPOOL — THAT IS SOMETHING I COULD NEVER CONTEMPLATE.”

Stevie G never won a league title, in his illustrious career, playing for and leading a club where, until 1990, being the champions of England was something their fans took for granted and, for a long time, was the ultimate symbol of greatness in this game.

But that certainly doesn’t make Gerrard a lesser icon than those who won the championship, in the colours of Liverpool, because only a fool will choose not to see the loyalty he has demonstrated to the cause of the Reds in 17 years, in the top-flight league, in which he became the face of this famous club.

He led Liverpool to the Champions League title in 2005, famously dragging his team back from the brink of the humiliation that the 0-3 first half deficit promised, scoring the first goal in the stunning comeback, and rallying his teammates to battle on as he refused to be swallowed by the possibility of defeat on the grand stage.

The following year, with his side down 2-3 to West Ham in the FA Cup final in the final minute, and needing a miracle to stay in the match, Gerrard emerged as the saviour, hammering home an unstoppable bullet for the equaliser and Liverpool then went on to win the trophy in the penalty shootout lottery that followed.

Of course, there were some bad moments, and his slip in that key match against Chelsea at Anfield, which gave Demba Ba the chance to run clear and score a crucial goal, certainly robbed Liverpool of their finest chance to end more than two decades of waiting for the league championship.

But Stevie G will always have a special place reserved for him at Anfield because of his remarkable commitment to the cause of Liverpool, at a time when footballers treat this game as a business, with very little consideration for the people who support these clubs, and jump at the next big deal, even if it means signing for the ultimate rival.

Gerrard represents the purity of a bygone era, when money had not yet polluted football, and when players meant it when they kissed the badge of their club shirt, because they shared a genuine love affair with their team and, by extension, those who supported this team.

He is a rare breed of the modern professional, another Ryan Giggs, whose romantic attachment with the club that he played for, and the fans who supported that club, was genuine and that is why Stevie G will always be a Kop legend, a bigger one than some of those who won numerous league titles at this famous football club.

These fans know that he wasn’t lucky to play in great Liverpool sides, like those of the ‘80s that ruled Europe repeatedly, and now and again he had to literally drag this team, and while he didn’t give them a league title, he made them champions of Europe again, leading from the front, and that, on its own, is very special.

Crucially, when others were abandoning them because they had been offered big money elsewhere, Stevie G remained, his commitment to their team not one to be shaken by the dollar or pound, and while that might have cost him the chance to win a league championship medal, it won him eternal love from those who support Liverpool.

STEVIE G REMINDS OF THE IMMORTAL JUBILEE SHAMBO

Gerrard was born just a few months after Shambo and his teammates had inspired CAPS United to be the champions of this country in 1979, signaling the arrival in the capital of a club that would challenge Dynamos’ dominance of the scene.

Of course, the old beast refused to be pushed from its position of dominance, and Shambo and his Green Machine would toil, for the next dozen years, without winning a league title while DeMbare won eight league titles between 1980 and 1991.

Shambo retired in 1992, with only one league title to this name, the one that he won in 1979, but there is a huge CAPS United constituency that believes Jubilee is the greatest player to play for the Green Machine.

Lloyd Chitembwe won three league championships with CAPS United but, even though he is the most decorated player to wear the team’s green-and-white strip, he certainly doesn’t come close to Shambo when this team’s fans talk of their greatest all-time players.

Shambo, who arrived at the Green Machine at the beginning of 1978 and was part of the CAPS United championship-winning team the following year, reminds me so much of Gerrard.

His loyalty to the Green Machine and, by extension, to the fans of CAPS United, the only top-flight team that he played for, makes him such a great hero for Makepekepe.

He had already established himself as a star, by the time that Black Rhinos came knocking on the doors of CAPS United and Dynamos, to woo the best talent from these teams with the promise of job security in the army and other perks that made Chauya Chipembere such an attractive team.

Many of his teammates, including Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa and Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma, were wooed by the offers and moved to Rhinos but Shambo decided to stay loyal to his Green Machine, even though it meant that winning another league title would now be a struggle.

Those who went to Rhinos did not only win one league title but won two championships, in 1984 and 1987, but while they had the silverware, they didn’t have the constituency of supporters which loved them and which would immortalise them as legends once they hung up their boots.

For Shambo, serving a constituency, where his heart was, where his immortality would be sealed not only because of the championships that he won for them but because of the loyalty and respect that he showed them, was more important.

Today, when CAPS United fans sing of their heroes, Shambo is one of those who feature prominently in their songs, and that is something special.

He is remembered as probably the greatest player who ever featured for the country’s third biggest football club and that is probably a bigger honour than being remembered as the player who won two league titles with Rhinos.

After all, that Rhinos team was an All-Star cast and it’s difficult to judge who was their finest player although Sinyo will be up there, if there is a search for the best, and Stix, Japhet M’parutsa and even Hamid Dhana will have reason to say that we were the very best.

So, with Rhinos, the success was built around its stars, in all positions, while Shambo, at times, virtually single-handedly dragged CAPS United, who always expected him to do something special in the ‘80s, for them to win silverware.

It’s hard for someone like Stix, for example, to be embraced as an all-time CAPS United legend by a Green Machine fan, like Guthrie Munyuki, the Daily News Assistant Editor, especially given the background that he came back to haunt his team in that classic Chibuku Trophy replay in 1987.

“But arguably the best game ever to be played in the Chibuku Trophy final was between CAPS United and Black Rhinos — the 3-3 1987 final,” Munyuki wrote recently.

“CAPS’ Freddy Mkwesha gambled and played Brenna Msiska whose injured shoulder exposed him during corner kicks from which Black Rhinos profited.

“Rhinos led twice through Maronga Nyangela and Jerry Chidawa ( in that order) while CAPS United fought back through Tauro and Phiri before the match went into extra time.

“Tauro gave CAPS United the lead in the first half of extra time only for Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma to score a belter from a Simon Mugabe short corner with seven minutes remaining on the clock.

“Rhinos won the replay 2-1 courtesy of a Mtizwa brace while Gift Mudangwe (late) scored for CAPS United.”

For Guthrie, and many others who believe in the Green Machine, it’s the likes of Jubilee, who was there with them in the good and bad times, who stand out.

And they won quite a number of trophies, and were quite a competitive team, which used to give Dynamos a good run for their money every time that the two giants clashed, long before the Harare Derby became this football game, played by two giants, which DeMbare always wins.

He always appeared to raise his game in those big games and they have never forgotten, on the CAPS United side, that it was one of his goals, against the ultimate rivals, that infuriated Eddie Muchongwe, then playing for DeMbare, to headbutt his ‘keeper Leo Ntawatawa.

MUCHERAHOWA IS ANOTHER LOYAL CADRE

Former Dynamos skipper, Memory Mucherahowa, is another of those players whose loyalty to one team made them such a special breed of stars in the mould of Stevie G.

The brand was more important than anything else and, in these days when players just switch clubs at the drop of a hat, the likes of Gwenzi remind us of the times when players attached a value to their relationship with teams and fans.

He has been away in the United Kingdom for some time now but he is still a Dynamos man, out and out, and this week he remembered that day, 16 years ago, when his club lost a man who was destined for greatness.

Mucherahowa’s story, posted on his Facebook page, was a moving tale and a reminder that the captain still remembers his troops.

“Watson Muhoni, 16 years today I still remember (brother) when you came to my house and it was like the last breakfast you were going to have but you refused.

“You knocked at my door early in the morning with Fatso. My wife offered you breakfast but you turned it down and you asked me if we (could) go to Mvuma.

“I didn’t want but had to go because you and my wife insisted. I didn’t know I was mistaken to allow that since you insisted that if I wasn’t going you were not.

“I thought I was doing you a favour but I was wrong and the next thing you were dead: Beatrice Road at 12.45pm on New Year’s Day, that it is when it happened.

“You where one of the best defenders, I was confused (brother) and when the police woke me up I was in the middle of a field and they told me you were dead, I couldn’t believe it.

“We went into the bus, people (were) telling me it was true but I still couldn’t believe it and I asked them to take me where you were lying. After calling you three times that’s when I realised that you were really gone.

“Tears might dry but the memories are still fresh. Rest in peace Kabila, as they used to call you.”

That’s something you can expect from Stevie G, from Jubilee or from Gwenzi, that’s what loyalty to a brand gives you and it might not give you a fortune but it does give you respect, authority and immortality.

How They Responded To Mucherahowa’s Post

“I remember reading it in The Herald back in the days and it was a huge blow to us DeMbare fans as Muhoni was well liked and had played extremely well that season. Like you said Memo tears may dry but we still remember him and cherish the good football he played for DeMbare,” — Oliver Charles Ndengeya.

“Coincidentally, I was discussing Watson Muhoni yesterday with Stuart Muparaganda, who is a CAPS Utd supporter. I watched him play once against CAPS United and he turned the great Shutto (Murisa) into a defender.

“He is one of the best players I have seen wearing the Glamour Boys’ shirt. Whenever we have met you have been reluctant to discuss this incident — now I understand your pain,” — Samuel Chindaro.

“He was young, humble, gifted, strong and excellent defender. I was privileged to watch him. He was very disciplined too . . . a complete player,” — Ronald D-Train Chiwanza.

“One of Zimbabwe’s (best) defenders, he was comfortable with the ball even under severe pressure and had the Devil not taken away his life, today he could be playing for Manchester United or FC Barcelona. He was cool on and off the field, very humble and had a sense of duty,” — Paddington Japajapa.

WITH BEST WISHES FROM FIFA

For all the trials and tribulations that I continue to endure at the hands of a domestic football body that is insensitive, if not heartless, at least, I draw comfort from the fact that I continue to get best wishes from people who matter.

Yes, the good guys at FIFA even cared to send me, and thousands of other football writers in the world, an e-card, thanking us for our support in the past year and wishing us the best in the New Year.

 

Season’s greetings from FIFA Media

Dear media representative,

As 2014 comes to an end and we look back at a busy year marked by the successful 2014 FIFA World Cup™, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your interest in football and FIFA’s activities in particular.

We wish you a great festive season and an excellent start to the New Year.

 

Sincerely,

FIFA Media Team

With working partners like these, who needs some of those clowns found at 53 Livingstone Avenue?

To God Be The Glory!

Come on United!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Di Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

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