HARARE - He made his Premiership debut with Dynamos at 18 and was forced to retire due to a recurrent muscle injury 10 years later at a ripe age of 28 when most players are at their peak.
But for the current Dynamos assistant coach Philimon Mutyakureva the love for DeMbare and the failure to realise his full potential on the field of play made him turn to coaching so that he fulfils his ambition of winning accolades with the Glamour Boys.
HEYDAY: Philimon Mutyakureva, left, in action for Sporting Lions in a league match against Motor Action.
To him once a Glamour Boy, one will always be and the sojourn that took him to Sporting Lions and Eagles was all in an endeavour to showcase his talent and make a comeback to DeMbare.
A product of the Dynamos junior policy, Mutyakureva made his debut for the Harare giants against Black Rhinos in 1997 and his inspiration has been the current Dynamos head coach, Calisto Pasuwa, a man who adopted him as his own brother since he was a junior.
So strong was Pasuwa’s love for Mutyakureva that he bought him a new pair of football boots after the former graduated from the Dynamos juniors to the senior team in 1995.
The Dynamos assistant coach said unbeknown to many who doubt his credentials, he had always harboured the ambitions of succeeding at Dynamos and was very ecstatic when he went to the winners’ podium to receive a championship medal last season, which had eluded him when he was still a player.
“I have always wanted to achieve something with Dynamos since I was a kid but when I turned professional I was affected by injuries that confined me to surgery,” Mutyakureva tells the Daily News.
“But it’s good that I am now back hoping to achieve a lot as a coach to make up for what I failed to do as a player. Calisto Pasuwa has always been my inspiration; I remember well in 1995 when I graduated from the juniors to the senior team, he bought me a new pair of (Adidas Copa Mundial).
“My late brother Patrick was also a big inspiration to me such that after I retired due to injuries he pushed me to take up coaching and prove myself again. I am happy and thankful to the Dynamos executive for affording me an opportunity to be part of the technical department and work towards solidifying DeMbare as a force to reckon with.”
His most memorable match in Dynamos colours was against Air Zimbabwe Jets under floodlights at Rufaro Stadium when he scored his first Premiership goal in an encounter that DeMbare went on to win 4-1.
But his crowning moment came in 2002 when he crossed the floor along with Pasuwa, Lloyd Mutasa, Joe Mugabe and Masimba Dinyero during the mid-season and saved Sporting Lions, from relegation.
He went on to score a number of crucial goals that season including a hat-trick in the 5-3 win over Motor Action. His volley against Zimbabwe Saints at Rufaro was arguably the best goal of the season, a feat which forced Dynamos to recall him later.
But the then dreadlocked midfielder was to make less impact as a muscle injury picked in a match against Amazulu forced him to be on the sidelines for a prolonged period. He later packed his bags for Eagles, who were in Division One. He could not last the mile and took up coaching.
Mutyakureva reverted to his boyhood club and just like he did as a player he worked his way up from coaching the juniors up until he was appointed assistant coach last year. To him coaching at DeMbare is not about proving a point but to fulfil a dream, to reach the zenith with the club which has a rich history.
“DeMbare is the most successful club in the country with a rich history. It is everyone’s dream to be part of the club and to help bring success to its multitudes of supporters,” he added.
“We capped fifty years in existence by lifting our 20th league title and would like to continue winning. With the support of everyone in the Dynamos family we are destined for more success and more glory days are ahead for DeMbare fans.”