The Manica Post

When the Ocean runs deeper

-

ESTEEMED followers of the game of football, thank you for finding time for interactio­n. Think of it as a raging ocean that is threatenin­g to wash all away with a furious tidal wave each time it creeps onto the shores. Or one that will sink anything that attempts to stand before it.

Such has been the imperious form of Dynamos captain Ocean Mushure that his performanc­es are getting refined with each outing every weekend for the popular Harare giants.

The lanky footballer is proving to be one of the bright spots of this campaign while playing starring roles that have galvanised DeMbare’s title tilt and hauling them to within just three points of leaders Chicken Inn, plus two games in hand. To inflate its growing reputation and profile, this Ocean ran deeper when, yet again, its strike - a fourth one in the four matches it has consecutiv­ely featured - smothered Yadah Stars’ resistance to set up another victory for Dynamos at Rufaro on Sunday. And it got his coach, Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa drooling in his post-match interview.

“I am also happy for Ocean. I have always said he is an inspiratio­nal player. He has been giving leadership and for him scoring four goals in four matches, I think as a captain he is doing his part and is leading by example on the field of player,” purred Samaita to our sister publicatio­n, The Herald.

Fronting DeMbare’s cause through the captaincy has seen him serving with distinctio­n, an exemplary leader worth wearing the armband. His shows have sim- ply been long on quality and short on inconsiste­ncy that he has easily, along with Cameroonia­n striker Christian Epoupa Ntouba so far this season been the best player on view among those pulling the fabled blue jersey.

Curling free kicks with his cultured left foot, Ocean has volleyed stunners in and sweetly struck beauties home - most of which have proved to be crucial goals. Rewind to earlier last month when, bending it like Manchester United legend David Beckham, he scored direct from a corner kick with what proved to be the winner against Black Rhinos at Rufaro to get the clear picture. Lethal with set-pieces, Mushure’s deliveries when whipping them in crosses from his favourite wide left area are equally devastatin­g.

Yes, the man they call “Ngoda” - because he has so far been a shining and precious presence championin­g this DeMbare crusade - is undoubtedl­y having the best season of his career; which has also seen him carry that sizzling streak of form even to the gold and green stripes of the Warriors.

As such, it is hardly surprising that Ocean has attracted interested attention from foreign suitors following his impressive and explosive shifts for the Glamour Boys. So gracious has been his elegance on the park that it has won him adoring admirers among his club fans, neutrals and the opposition alike, who all have been bowled over. His exploits are difficult to ignore at the moment whether one is of a Glamour Boys persuasion or not.

Will this Ocean continue running deeper for the remainder of this season?

It’s Game On, Play On! Feedback:

I am a keen follower of our Zimbabwean football and have observed a lot of unprofessi­onalism in the game. The way some clubs are being run is just bad. The other issue is about we, the fans we have neglected our teams. Recently, I watched a match between CAPS United and Black Rhinos and only a handful of fans paid to watch that match. As fans, we should support the game by going to watch matches. We complain that the $3 charged at the gates is too much, but how much do spend each week betting on other leagues’ matches? I think we should follow our own local league the same way we do the English Premier League. How many CAPS United fans have Hardlife Zvirekwi’s jersey? - Tawanda Mhlanga.

***

Why did Highlander­s hire a foreign coach they are unable to pay? We have local coaches getting a raw deal while foreign coaches walk away richer even after having failed to deliver. Maybe it is a financial loss to pay much more money to a winning local coach. - Richard Mahuhushe Chauke.

◆ For feedback, send your views, comments and contributi­ons through WhatsApp or sms on 0733 576 259 or e-mail:fridayfoot­ballechoes@gmail.com

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Zimbabwe