When a then 17-year old Energy Murambadoro left Chomumvuri Village in Gokwe for Harare to pursue a career in football, he did so against the wishes of his parents.
After writing his Ordinary Level examinations, Murambadoro got a job in Gokwe, where he temporarily worked as a records keeper.
In the eyes of his parents, that job was the start Murambadoro needed and they expected him to treasure it.
But his love for football was just too strong.
When he left for Harare, Murambadoro did not tell his parents that he had quit the job, what he did say was; it was just short leave and he would return.
“I didn’t tell my parents that I had quit my job initially. I told them that I was on off. A gentleman named Francis Kandengu took me to Harare and said he knew someone at CAPS United and wanted me to try luck there,” recalled Murambadoro on this week’s episode of Larry’s Look at the League.
“I arrived at CAPS United and the late Freddy Mukwesha was there. He said I should stay beyond the initial two weeks recommended for trails.
“When I arrived at CAPS, I was training with the reserve league together with the likes of Leonard Tsipa and Pardon Mhara. Remember, back then, the reserve league was very much active.
“I spent almost one and half years in the CAPS United reserves team waiting for a breakthrough, it was an apprenticeship of some sort.
The breakthrough finally came for Murambadoro and the big goalkeeper was thrown into the fray in the last game of the season when CAPS United edged now defunct Circle Cement 1-0 at Rufaro.
During mid-season, he went back home.
But despite his breakthrough, Murambadoro’s parents were still not convinced that his decision to play football professionally, at the expense of his job, was the right one.
“I went back home after the season ended and told my parents that I had joined CAPS, but they were still not convinced I had made the right decision- the decision to leave my job for football. As a result there was a bit on tension at home,” said Murambadoro.
“That is the moment I realized it had to work in football because I didn’t want to disappoint my parents further,” he added.
Things changed in a flash in the green half of Harare for the big goalkeeper, who became a widely known person in the blink of an eye.
“I remember this very funny story, a CAPS United fan who was my neighbor at the time, knocked on my door one morning. He had a newspaper in his hand and there was an article written about me,” recalled Murambadoro.
“As neighbors, I knew him and he knew me, but as much as he loved CAPS United, he hadn’t realized that his neighbor was the Makepekepe goalkeeper.
“He knocked on my door and looked at me while comparing the picture in the newspaper with my face. He went wild the moment he realized it was me.”
Just three years after arriving in Harare from Gokwe, Murambadoro was named the 2003 Soccer Star of the Year and he still remembers how surprised he was by the development.
“I was shocked when I won the Soccer Star of the Year award to be honest. When my name was called, the first thing that came to mind was that I had to leave Zimbabwe in search of better opportunities,” recalled Murambadoro.
“More importantly though, I felt as though the Soccer Star of the Year award was a dedication to my parents. It was more for them than for me, because I felt my initial decision to quit my job for football was finally bringing the success they (my parents) would be happy with.
“I remember I invited both my parents for the ceremony, but my dad was tied up with work so only my mom came. She was really happy and naturally, so was I.”
The biggest achievement for Murambadoro in his glittering career would soon come.
The big goalkeeper was part of the Sunday Chidzambwa-led Warriors squad, which qualified for Zimbabwe’s maiden appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in 2004.
He still has goosebumps when he talks about his experience at the continental spectacle, where he rubbed shoulders with globally recognized African stars like Samuel Eto’o, Patrick Mboma, Rigobert Song, only to mention but just a few.
“I would say representing Zimbabwe at AFCON in 2004, and being the first Zimbabwean to keep goal for the country at the tournament, is the greatest achievement of my career,” said Murambadoro.
“It was truly amazing and I’m proud because I felt we put Zimbabwe on the map as well as paved way for the current youngsters in terms of AFCON qualification.”
Despite the Energy he had for football, making it in the game was never easy for Murambadoro.
