Grace Chirumanzu (GC): Who inspired you to play football?
Makai Kawashu (MK): It was my father, James Kawashu, who used to play
football in the lower division back in his days. I started playing
football when I was in Grade 3 at Acturus primary school, in the junior
team.
I began playing the game professionally in 2003 when my brother
Edison introduced me to Mimosa F.C of Zvishavane. It was division one
football and since then, I always dreamt of playing in a more
competitive league. I then moved to Kwekwe where I played for GMB. My
break into premier league soccer came when I joined Monos last year,
and here I am today playing in the (MTN Caf) Champions League — a
dream come true.
GC: Football involves a lot of sprinting especially when you are a
striker, I find it very tiresome. How do you keep yourself in shape
besides the training session with your head coach, Rodwell Dhlakama?
MK: I take extra training. I normally have road runs in Norton where I stay.
GC: Being one the key players at Monos who the club relies on for goals
should certainly come with a lot of pressure, how do you handle it?
MK: It feels great to know the team can rely on you, although it is
something that may put players under pressure. However, in my case, I
do not think it affects me on the field. I know I am not always there
to score, if I do not score, I can always help create chances for a
teammate to score.
GC: What about the Champions League, do you not sometimes feel
intimidate playing against some of the big names of African club soccer
such as the DRC's TP Mazembe, and former champions, Etoile du Sahel of
Tunisia?
MK: (laughing lightly) Aah if they have two legs like mine and not
four, then what should make me nervous or scared of playing against
them? It is the same soccer ball we will be kicking around and we can
do it even against Manchester United (English champions).
GC: What is the secret behind the nickname Jecha (sand)?
MK: I inherited it from my brother who used to play for Mandava United
in Zvishavane. The ground at Mandava stadium was sandy. One day my
brother was set to take a penalty kick and he mounted some sand on the
spot, placed the ball on top and blasted the ball into the net. Since
that day, he was called Jecha and when they come to know of me, I
became younger Jecha to them. Now it is just Jecha Jecha.
GC: If ever you are going to leave Monomotapa, what will you miss most about the club?
MK: Well, I think it is going to be the welfare of the players. The
money we are offered may not be much, but I am sure it is better than
what other players get from their clubs. We are also supplied with
training equipment.
GC: What really gets onto your nerves on the field of play?
MK: As a striker among defenders who are determined to stop you from
scoring by all means, you certainly get provoked. But I have always
tried with success to control my emotions because it is by realizing
that I will cost the team if I am sent off by the referee for
misbehaving, which pushes me to ignore it all.
GC: Which defender in the league has given you a torrid time?
MK: There is not any so far, I could tell you of one I always give
torrid times but that might really be a good thing to be saying about
other players.
Fact file
Full names :Makai Kawashu
D.O.B :14 November 1983
P.O.B :Goromonzi
Jersey number :20
Position :Striker
Nickname :Jecha
Previous Clubs :Mimosa F.C (Zvishavane), G.M.B (Kwekwe)
Current Club :Monomotapa
Post published in: Football