Pasuwa still believes in Mukamba

FORMER Dynamos gaffer Kallisto Pasuwa, who coached Denver Mukamba to two Premiership medals with DeMbare in 2011 and 2012, says the midfielder needs professional help to kick an alleged drug problem.

Mukamba has become a pale shadow of the man who won the 2012 Soccer Star of the Year award amidst allegations of abusing substances like the cough mixture Broncleer, known on the streets as Bronco.

Yesterday Pasuwa — who guided Dynamos to four straight league titles before taking the senior men’s national team to the 2017 Afcon finals — said Mukamba could still bounce back.

He was addressing a gathering in Mufakose, Harare, where Leicester City-based Zimbabwean forward Admiral Muskwe donated kits to Stanley Chirambadare’s Revival Academy.

“I think (Mukamba) needs rehabilitation and it’s sad that it is said the habit has taken its toll on him,” Pasuwa told The Sunday Mail Sport after the donation. “I still believe in Denver because I know the best is yet to come from him.”

Pasuwa’s sentiments came after Brazilian legend and Ballon d’Or winner Rivaldo spoke out strongly against drug abuse by players during a momentous visit to Zimbabwe last Tuesday.

“Stay away from drugs, it’s not good for you, they can destroy your career. We have various examples and most of them you know, of players who have lost their way because of drug abuse and alcoholism,” Pasuwa advised Revival Academy players.

“When I was still coach at Dynamos I would even follow players to their houses to find out what they were eating, drinking or smoking. Discipline is key. We do not want players who go to South Africa and then come back after just a season,” said Pasuwa.

Muskwe, who went to England when he was three years old, is now part of the Leicester City Under-21 side and yesterday donated two sets of kits to Revival Academy, which is owned by former Dynamos left-back Ernest Chirambadare.

Muskwe was represented by members of the Zimbabwe Foreign Legions organisation.