Zvenyika Makonese speaks out!

FORMER Orlando Pirates and Warriors defender Zvenyika Makonese is not a special player but is enjoying the new lease of life as a striker at Zvishavane based Shabanie Mine, the club that nurtured part of his defence skills.

In an exclusive interview with a local newspaper, the steely soccer player declared the asbestos miners would not be relegated committing to fighting life for in the Luke Masomere coached PSL side.

He has since turned out for his new side on two occasions making his second "debut'- in a 1-0 win over ' Monomotapa in which his goal made the difference and in Sunday's 2-2 draw away to Masvingo.

"I have set to try out life as a striker because the team already has a good defence and so far it has worked well. With a goal to my name I am now part of the strikeforce that will save Shabanie Mine from relegation.
"Yes people may ask who is paying my salaries the answer is I am getting paid from the same source the rest of the players are getting their monies. There is nothing special about me. Remember I am not at
Shabanie for money but to rebuild my career.

"I have not played soccer for a long time and I would not want to talk of that era but the reason why I preferred to return home was to restart my career. That is why I
 
turned down other offers for example from Sunday Chidzambwa's Black Leopards," said Makonese.

He revealed he was enjoying the good relations with coach Masomere, who had curved a new training schedule that has seen the former Santos defender transforming from a "stocky player" into an original "steely shape".

"You would remember because of inactivity I had become stocky but I am happy Luke has helped me a great deal into shaping me into a steely player that I was before. He has prepared a special schedule for me and this has worked."

He revealed he would entertain new offers from across the border at the end of next month after gaining full fitness but could not reveal the identity of clubs that have eyed his signature.

After training at FC Platinum on a number of days Makonese revealed he could not be signed by the rivals due to the limited slots.

"There is a limit in the number of players that can be registered and by the time I started training at FC Platinum the window was almost closing and they had already filled their slots. Given a chance I could have loved to join them and I still dream of joining them in the future.

"They are a good side but need patience and people need to remember it is their first year at the level as a club though most players have played at that level. Should they win the league it will be a bonus for the town Zvishavane, the Midlands region as a whole.

"They have defined soccer investment and they deserve all credit, one cannot begrudge them for that but it's a matter of time before then rewards come," said Makonese.

Part of his- life has seen him combining with Caleb Masocha who has five goals to his name, Makonese urged his striking partner to keep on banging the goals and surpass former Caps United striker. Simba Sithole who still leads the charts with 10 goals.

"He has potential and 10 goals is not much as long as he remains consistent and I will help him in achieving that target. He is oneplayer I have combined well, with," said Makonese.
In reciprocation, Masocha described Makonese as "a brother set up goals" for him.

"There are two combinations I have enjoyed in my career one with Jacob Muzokomba and this one with Makonese. He is one player who can set you on the run and create space for you. He is equally good with positioning himself for a return pass. I have known him as a defender but he has proved his other side as a striker," said Masocha.

Makonese owns several properties in South Africa's Johannesburg, a house in Gweru and two "wheels" writing off the third which was involved in road traffic accident that became the source of his "rumoured death" two months ago.