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Bruce Chikuni

DENVER Mukamba and Joel Ngodzo are not in the books of any local topflight team with the Castle Lager Premiership set to start next week.

Ngodzo is training with Adachi FC in the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League while Mukamba is unattached.

If a miracle does not happen before the mid-season break, this might be the end of this duo.

This is something that those who care about local football are not ready to accept.

Mukamba’s (31) contract expired at the end of the last campaign with Dynamos.

Ngodzo (34) also found himself in a similar situation at Caps United.

They have been the most liked and cheered characters wherever they go in the last decade.

They are deemed by many as the best in their generation to illuminate the local league.

Almost everything about Mukamba and Ngodzo is identical.

They play in the centre of the park, and their brothers made way for them.

Mukamba was the recipient of the Soccer Star of the Year award in 2012.

And, Ngodzo also achieved a similar feat seven years later.

But, failing to overcome their off-field demons is something that restricted them from reaching their full potential.

Mukamba was given a kiss of life by Green Fuel coach, Rodwell Dhlakama, who declared that he will never shut him out.

Sadly, Mukamba is still enjoying his off-season break.

But people can only feel for Ngodzo, who does not appear to have a team or someone willing to bail him out.

Mukamba wanted to continue with Dynamos as he showed passion and commitment to leave his old ways behind him.

But, Dynamos felt he was not adding any value to the team.

DeMbare chairman, Moses Maunganidze, had even hinted at their intention to make Mukamba their point man in marketing the team’s regalia to increase sales.

However, DeMbare suddenly changed goalposts on their own promise.

Ngodzo agreed to cut ties with Makepeke on mutual consent.

Caps United chief executive, Morton Dodzo, said Ngodzo is the one who decided to leave.

“We never had a problem with Ngodzo, we were open to extending his stay, but he was honest enough to admit that he is no longer the man he was five seasons ago.

“There is always pressure to deliver to win titles, so he told us that he wants to give this chance to new blood.

“We just hope for the best for him because he is our legend and Caps United will always be his home, as he is someone who left a huge mark,” said Dodzo.