Mukudu cherishes proud record
WITH a professional career which spanned a decade-and-a-half in the trenches of domestic football as a player, former attacking midfielder, Clemence “Skude” Mukudu, boasts of a proud record of having helped five teams earn promotion into the Premiership from Division One.
The Sakubva-bred ex-soccer star was in the thick of things for Manica Diamonds (2018), Mutare City Rovers (2017), Dongo Sawmills (2014), Highway (2008) and Triangle (2012) as they marched to the Promised Land.
So sweet for him to savour as the cherry on top is the fact that four of the clubs are from Manicaland — three specifically from Mutare — and all were competing in the Zifa Eastern Region Division One at the time of their elevation.
And the icing on that cake of these accomplishments was when he played a starring role during the Gem Boys’ history-making run as they went unbeaten over the entire course of their 2018 second-tier league title procession. He also scored a career-high of seven goals as the team’s creative force in that fruitful campaign.
Mukudu cherishes this as one of the peak points of his action-packed expedition in the game.
Skude, however, did not stay at those clubs long enough as a member of the Premiership newbies’ battle for survival and would be on the road again.
“Playing in both the top-tier league and lower division was a memorable experience. I will forever cherish my involvement with the teams from Manicaland during their bids to get promoted into the Premiership which came to fruition. To have been part of Manica Diamonds, Mutare City Rovers, Dongo Sawmills and Highway’s success stories is truly remarkable.
“I am a proud holder of five Division One gold medals with five different teams and those exploits fill me with delight to this day. That four of these sides are from Manicaland is a plus to cherish for me since this is my home.
‘‘Therefore, I can only look back and see myself as a patriotic and exemplary son who advanced both the province and city’s football cause,” he told Post Sport in an interview.
The former Mwana Africa player also turned out for his home town club, Frontier Steel, Chiredzi United, Hippo Valley and Gaths Mine in Division One although no success with the modest sides came his way, finishing second with the latter behind Jets who clinched the Premiership ticket.
The Mutare-born retired footballer also possessed a knack of netting some crucial strikes during his heyday.
He attributed his longevity on the pitch to the magic bullet of the four Ds —discipline, desire, diet and determination.
Said Mukudu: “My football career has given me a lot in terms of the experience I gathered over the years in the game. I was an active player for 16 straight years and managed to last that long owing to strictly taking good care of my body’s physique because that was my most prized asset as a footballer.
‘‘I also avoided activities that were hazardous to my career like alcoholism, smoking and all-night partying. I made sure that I hung out with constructive elements that were interested in the progress and growth of my game and would encourage me continue working hard without relenting.”
“There have been ups and downs along the way, however, but I am happy with where my talent took me. Luckily for me, I never suffered any serious injuries which would have derailed my career.
‘‘I thoroughly enjoyed every step of the voyage. However, I feel I could have gone far with better handling through proper management because the game has become serious and big business where player managers or agents are necessary.”
Skude has successfully made the transition from playing to coaching and administration is presently involved with Premiership outfit, Manica Diamonds’ development side in the Zifa Eastern Region Division 2A.