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If he had his way, Tuku, as he is fondly called by his legion of fans, could have given Sam the boots and the armband too, but that was not possible as there were other senior musicians gunning for the same armband.
Minutes later Sam, who came as a super sub, scored a goal that breathed life into a game that was biased towards the yesteryear football legends.
Tuku emerged from the bench and embraced his son as they celebrated the goal that sent the expectant crowd into jubilation. For Tuku, it appeared as if this was more than just a game since he had started a project called “Perekedza Mwana”.
The project was aimed at taking Sam to some of the venues and places where the superstar Tuku used to perform during his formative years.
So brilliant was the project that by the time Tuku had taken Sam to all the corners of the country the budding star would have had an appreciation of what was ahead of him.
But as fate would have it, Sam did not live long to see the fruits of the project as later he was involved in a horror crash that claimed his life and that of his childhood friend and sound engineer Owen Chemhere.
So as the yesteryear football legends clash against musicians on February 6 at Rufaro Stadium, the match is set to bring nostalgic moments for the granddad of music — Tuku.
Like a father that he is, Tuku is likely to adopt the young musicians Suluman and Tryson Chimbetu as his own and perhaps play the game the way he would have done if Sam was still alive.
The musicians’ side have a tall order as they were beaten 7-2 by yesteryear football legends that, sadly, featured on its line-up the late Shackman Tauro.

There is a lot to expect at this year’s fund-raising contest when the musicians versus yesteryear football legends take to the artificial turf that the game could go either way.
What with the news that the yesteryear soccer greats’ side has signed up former Warriors skipper Norman Mapeza.
But that is not all, this year the organisers — Chipaz Promotions — in conjunction with television personality Charles Mabika — have gone that extra mile to ensure that this year’s fund-raising match will be bigger and better.
Also expected to grace the charity match is Big Brother All Stars finalist Munyaradzi Chidzonga aka the Diamond Boy.
According to Mabika, the Diamond Boy is yet to confirm his attendance but he was invited to be part of the event.
“We have all the big names in the line-up and this year we are fund-raising for the two teams Dynamos and Motor Action that will be the main curtain-raisers,” he said.
The yesteryear football legends who have so far confirmed include their participation include Stix Mtizwa, Freddie Mukwesha, George Shaya, John Phiri, Charlie Jones, Brenna Msiska, Moses Chunga and Misheck Chidzambwa among others.
On the musicians’ side there is going to be Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu, Charles Charamba, First Farai, Tryson Chimbetu, Progress Chipfumo, Allan Chimbetu, Hosiah Chipanga, Cephas Mashakada, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza and Sandra Ndebele, who will this time be guarding the goalposts.
Sungura musician Tongai Moyo, who is recuperating at home, promised to attend the event and maybe play a game or two. Dhewa, as he is popularly known in music circles, is suffering from cancer, which is taking a toll on his illustrious career. Currently, he is making waves with his smash hit album “Toita Basa” that features the hit single “Ndiro Yababa”.

Another crunch match will see print media against the electronic media. The last time the two clashed it was the print media who emerged winners.
But after all is said and done, music lovers will be treated to a free gig by some of the top artistes including Tuku, Suluman, Madzibaba Zakaria, Chipanga, Progress Chipfumo as well as Cephas “Moto Muzhinji” Mashakada.