Shades of Evans Gwekwerere . . . Shisaka pledges support for Mukambi

UNTIL he opens his mouth Godfrey Mukambi looks like Norman Togara.

But when the new Dynamos defender, who proved that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication against Caps United last weekend, reveals the gaps in his mouth, one cannot help but recall Evans Gwekwerere.

Mukambi might be a defender while Gwekwerere was a striker but there are striking similarities between the two soccer players — apart from the missing teeth.

Both arrived at Dynamos as unheralded packages but did not waste time in playing their way into the hearts of that mythical and ever static seven million lot of fans.

And when they fall in love, the DeMbare fans pull all the stops, don’t they?

Gwekwerere was showered with money, dentures and had a song penned in his honour after a storming start to the 2006 Premier Soccer League season.

The striker scored four times in his first three matches and the Dynamos fans went gaga, singing “Gwekwerere Bhora”.

They are yet to sing a song about Mukambi, but they sure are pampering the former Tsholotsho man.

South Africa-based businessman Tapuwa Shiridzinomwa watched the Harare Derby on SuperSport and immediately pledged to make sure Mukambi gets his dental problem fixed.

“I had never seen ‘Marubber‘ in action, but he impressed me in a game that means so much to us the Dynamos family,” said Shiridzinomwa, a staunch Dynamos fan, while using Mukambi’s new nickname.

“If I were at the stadium I would have thrown a few dollars his way but since I was absent the plan is to assist him in getting proper attention for his teeth. Through my company, Shisaka Entertainment, we will chip in financially to assist him get the best treatment possible. He is a star and at Shisaka we handle stars.”

Stones At his peak, Gwekwerere also got help from a Dynamos fan to get dentures.

The similarities in this latest toothless DeMbare tale are not lost to Gwekwerere.

“At least the Dynamos fans didn’t call me Marubber; remember, they called me Earthquake,” chuckled the former Warriors striker.

“I guess my advice to Mukambi is to play it cool. At Dynamos the same fans who throw money at you will be the same fans who will throw stones on a bad day.

“I watched him against Caps United and was impressed by his composure. Hopefully, he can continue to do well for Dynamos and himself.”

Gwekwerere has ventured into the leisure business, operating a few nightclubs, but plans to have one more crack at it.

“I am a businessman now but still love the game and plan to come back onto the field of play next season now that my business is fully established,” said the 32-year-old.