Sports Reporter
EX-ARCADIA United midfielder-cum-winger Mike Abrahams believes former players can help develop soccer if they are engaged at grassroots level.
Abrahams, who quit soccer at the end of 1988 season, said chaotic football administration forced him to hang his boots and pursue a different career.
Winner of the Chibuku Trophy in 1985 with Arcadia United, “Mabhurugwa”, as Abrahams was affectionately known during his playing days, said he is concerned with non-participation of legends in football development.
“The reason I quit soccer at a time when many thought I was going to play till the 1990s was because I had had enough of chaos in football. There were so many administrative fights for power which worries me even up to this day. Football in Zimbabwe is a bit chaotic in how it’s run and the little participation of legends also worries me. I would love to see legends starting at grassroots level, not what we’re seeing where they want to be at the top. Who will coach the youngsters?” said Abrahams.
Dynamos was the last club Abrahams played for in the 1988 season, having joined DeMbare from Black Rhinos, whom he played for in the 1987 season, rubbing shoulders with legends such as Japhet “Short Cat” M’parutsa, the late Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma and Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa.
But it was at the now defunct Arcadia United where Abrahams enjoyed more success.
“I remember when we won the Chibuku Trophy in 1985; we beat Highlanders 1-0 and I scored that goal,” said Abrahams.
At Arcadia United, Abrahams played alongside fellow talented players such as Nat Bismarck, Graham Boyle, Bethal Salis, Mike Mhlanga, Hedley Layton, Charlie White, Joey Antipas, George Rollo, Charlie Jones, Majid and Hamid Dhana, David Zulu, Anthony Kambani, Derrick Petrie, Carlos Max, Richard Manda, Clever Muzuwa, Danny Jambo, Owen Moodley, Charlie Nyagowa and Goosie Galloway.
Abrahams, who is an artisan at Delta Beverages, said his toughest opponent during his playing days was ex-Bosso defender Netsai “Super” Moyo, whom he said had a way of closing him down.
“Netsai was something else. He had a way of closing me down and I had to switch flanks from the right to the left whenever we played Highlanders,” he said.
Abrahams does not rule out the possibility of returning to soccer, saying: “With resources permitting, I would love to specialise in youth development and focus on the schools’ league where we will identify and grow talent. I know football is more technical now, but there is a void in terms of encouraging that individual brilliance and it is that gap that needs to be reduced.”
On the Warriors’ qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, Abrahams believes the squad has what it takes to go all the way to the final.
l On Tuesday, we wrongly reported that Abrahams had died in Bulawayo and had been buried at New Luveve Cemetery last week. It was a terrible mix-up as Abrahams is alive and well. We sincerely apologise to him, his family, friends and relatives, particularly his elderly mother, for the anguish and inconvenience the story caused. — Editor