Tatenda Makoni living the Dream: Dynamos’ goalkeeper finds his footing
Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni is finally living his dream, blossoming into the team’s rock-solid rearguard. The penalty specialist, once confined to shootouts, is now the maestro between the posts, helping Dynamos orchestrate what has been an impressive unbeaten run.
Makoni’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. After being overshadowed by Martin Mapisa and Prince Tafiremutsa in recent seasons, he has seized his chance under Genesis Mangombe, with both hands.
The Glamour Boys’ season got off to a rocky start, with Harmony Nare’s five-goal capitulation to Scottland FC in the Castle Challenge Cup setting the tone for what many felt would be a turbulent campaign.
Nare fell down the pecking order and was replaced by Makoni, who initially held fort in the first two games against TelOne FC and Highlanders FC. Cameroonian Idriss Nfor took the number one jersey but fell by the wayside after suffering a jaw injury during a league match against AGAMA FC on March 22.
Since then, Makoni has been Dynamos’ goalkeeping mainstay and has helped them avoid defeat in four consecutive matches against MWOS FC, Simba Bhora, FC Platinum and Scottland FC respectively.
THREE CLEAN SHEETS FOR TATENDA MAKONI
Tatenda Makoni and Collin Mujuru during Dynamos versus Scottland FC match. Picture by Libertino
They won twice with identical 1-0 wins over MWOS FC and Simba Bhora, before a 1-1 draw with FC Platinum and a 0-0 draw with Scottland FC. This means Makoni has kept three clean sheets this season.
Simply put, the penalty specialist, whom Dynamos had only been calling into action during penalty shootouts, is slowly establishing himself as their mainstay.
However, he remains grounded but excited that he has managed to keep clean sheets, with the help of their solid defense marshaled by centre-backs Hastings Chapusha and Collin Mujuru, as well as wing backs Abel Gwatidzo, Tendaishe Magwaza and Christopher Nettey.
“First, I would like to thank God for this platform and also the coach for trusting me. You know, it’s not an easy thing, but I just thank God for that,” Makoni said.
“And it boosts the confidence, you know. Bit by bit, you get the confidence. There’s a level that I want to reach, and I believe that this is the closest thing that’s going to help me do that.
“It’s not an easy thing, but it was a collective effort. You know, everyone put in maximum effort. Everyone was fighting from the first issue until the last one. And I give credit to the guys for the fight and for the momentum.”
On Wednesday, Makoni pulled off some crucial saves to keep Scottland FC at bay as Dynamos refused to buckle under pressure at Rufaro Stadium.
RELATED STORY: Missed chances as Dynamos and FC Platinum share the spoils
