Mudadi dazzles for DeMbare
DONALD Mudadi has been, by a considerable distance, the best player at Dynamos this season.
Never mind the never-dying love affair that exists between veteran Denver Mukamba and the Glamour Boys supporters.
It’s understandable.
The 2012 Soccer Star of the Year is the only remnant of the last crop of the all-conquering DeMbare side that won a record-equalling four league titles in a row from 2011 to 2014.
Of course, the lanky 30-year-old won just two of those four titles before joining the now-defunct South African top-flight side Bidvest Wits.
He is, in a way, a representative of success, within the current DeMbare squad.
No wonder why, even if he played to the gallery and clowned around in the process in the Harare derby at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday following his 82nd minute introduction, DeMbare supporters still gave him the usual royal treatment at the end.
Who would stop them from splashing cash on their long-time hero after a sweet 2-0 victory over their fiercest rivals CAPS United who before the tie had the upperhand with odds favouring them to win.
But, Mudadi was the real deal in this big victory. The boy is probably too quiet for a footballer. He has hardly, in his entire professional career that he launched in 2017, been the centre of attraction.
While he is a top talent, he has hopped between average teams Black Rhinos, Triangle and Harare City over the past five seasons.
After gaining traction in a Dynamos shirt in the opening three Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches this season, Mudadi suffered a nasty head injury in the club’s fourth game against Simba Bhora.
He forced his way back for the Easter Monday encounter against Cranborne Bullets after passing a late fitness test but he again hobbled out with a badly twisted ankle.
Probably fearing he would be bullied in the middle of the park given he was coming from injury, Dynamos coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa deployed Mudadi in an advanced midfield position in the Harare Derby on Sunday.
And what a masterpiece the move proved to be. With Junior Makunike anchoring the midfield and the energetic Tanaka Shandirwa doing the donkey work, Mudadi had the responsibility to style up and make the play.
He did that with astonishing aplomb. He was by far the most outstanding figure in this derby that attracted an estimated 27 000 spectators — the biggest crowd to watch a local Premiership match in over a decade.
He was the engine from which all the Dynamos raids were processed.
Each time he had the ball on his feet, panic ran across both the CAPS United team and their fans in equal measure. His dribbling and ball carrying skills, especially caught the eye.
From the way he dazzled uncontained, it became clear, he would be Makepekepe’s destroyer-in-chief that afternoon.
The run he made down the right channel anticipating for a killer pass from another impressive prospect Tendai Matindife was world class. Matindife didn’t disappoint with a pin-point ball that Mudadi trapped before firing home for DeMbare’s opener 28 minutes into the game. Ten minutes later, Mudadi was back again. This time, he picked the ball down the flank where Keith Madera was being bullied by CAPS United left-back Innocent Zambezi.
The 26-year-old trodded into the area, fooled his marker Ben Musaka with the move drawing out Makepekepe goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga off his post before firing with his left towards goal. Mateyaunga failed to decisively deal with the effort with lone striker Jayden Bakare heading in the rebound.
Mudadi would trouble the CAPS United defence, which until Sunday was the most solid in the top-flight, making them look very ordinary the entire afternoon.
Makunike, Matindife, Bakare and Shandirwa all gave a good account of themselves on a day they were debuting in the big Harare Derby.
And Mudadi chose to credit them and the whole squad for his splendid show.
“I would like to thank God for he is the one who enables everyone to perform their duties effectively. “My teammates and technical department led by coach Maruwa deserve all the credit,” said Mudadi.
“I am very happy to be doing well in a derby of this size.
“Winning should be in our DNA and we look forward to continuing performing wonders.”
While Mudadi performed wonders for Dynamos, the Glamour Boys didn’t exactly outplay Makepekepe in the entire match.
CAPS United had their moments too. Defender Kelvin Madzongwe was arguably the best player for Makepekepe. Of course, the Green Machine conceded two goals but without Madzongwe, maybe the scoreline could have been even worst. He thwarted a lot of dangerous moves by DeMbare, including goal-bound efforts much to the frustration of Dynamos players. The same can be said of Zambezi.
Playing in his first Harare Derby, the former Harare City defender proved why he is being touted as the next biggest thing to happen at CAPS United. He neutralised silky Dynamos winger Madera, who appeared lost in the mist of the demands of this big derby which had all the ingredients that merited the hype.
Zambezi was as physical as a defender should be.