Zimpapers Logo

Sports Reporter
DENVER Mukamba’s rehabilitation into the Dynamos fold took a big step forward when the midfielder trained with the Glamour Boys yesterday for the first time since his fallout with head coach Lloyd Mutasa.

The former Zimbabwe skipper had struggled to convince Mutasa that he has dumped the wayward behaviour which strained their relationship last year and was locked out of the team’s training sessions.

However, his manager Gibson Mahachi met with the DeMbare leadership last week and they agreed that Mukamba, who still has a running contract with the Glamour Boys, be allowed to return to training.

“Denver trained today (yesterday) and this follows a meeting we had last week with the club executive related to the issue,’’ said Mahachi, who has stood with Mukamba during the midfielder’s dark days.

“It appears the coach had also given up on the boy, but we discussed this and they realised that even if he has erred, there are ways of bringing him to book while he remains a part of their family.

“He still has a contract with Dynamos and that had to be taken into account and we are happy that he is back in training now and he can concentrate on what he knows best – which is to play football.’’

Mukamba recently revealed he was not interested in playing for any other local side except the Glamour Boys.

His former DeMbare teammate Archford Gutu, who is currently playing in Swedish Division One for IFK Varnamo, revealed recently that it was not too late for Mukamba to turn a new leaf in his career.

“Come back stronger my guy, football will save you.

“He is a good player and a good person, I hope he does come back to normal and go forward,” said Gutu.

The midfielder says when he was home in December, he had a lot of interaction with Mukamba, talking about football and how their lives have been transformed by sport.

Both midfielders are orphans.

Gutu lost his mother when he was barely 16 and Sprouting Football Club owner Calvin Nyazema raised him, paying his fees, while the player played at his academy.

Mukamba was raised by Gogo Kawinga.

“I was with him in December when I was home in Zimbabwe.

“To be honest with you, I never saw him doing anything being said when I was with him.

“We could drink alcohol together, but not what I have been reading. We would talk about football and that we have to get back to the top again.

“We were being honest with ourselves, he went through a stressful time in South Africa, where he didn’t play much.

“But we all go through those times, that’s how our careers are.

“I said this to him that 2016 was one year that I don’t want to talk about in my career.

“I was stressed probably more than you, but don’t let what people say control you and don’t give people a lot to say about you,” said Gutu.