The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
WHILE some players are attached to certain clubs, the script is different for Dangamvura-born Castle Lager Premiership 2019 Soccer Star of the Year finalist Phineus Bhamusi, who has played for seven different clubs in the last decade.
The player-club attachment is one of the major reasons that push clubs to retire shirt numbers as a tribute to players who would have excelled for the particular club.
But for Bhamusi, the slippery winger who keeps fans on the edge of their seats each time he is in possession of the ball due to his breathtaking ball-handling skills and creative play, club allegiance and attachment hardly exist in his vocabulary.
The 30-year old player turned out for the now defunct Mutare United back in 2010, before being lured by Gunners FC the following year.
The diminutive striker came back home to join army outfit Buffaloes in 2012, only to spend one season with them.
He then found his way back to the capital and turned out for Harare City in 2013.
It was not long before Bhamusi decided to find another place to call home as he left the municipality mid 2015 to join CAPS United.
At CAPS United, Bhamusi enjoyed an unprecedented lengthy stay of two-and-a-half seasons.
He then packed his bags again and left for Chiredzi side Triangle at the end of the 2017 season.
Bhamusi only spent one season at Triangle in 2018, before packing his belongings again to go back to CAPS United.
The winger, who is still in the books of CAPS United, did his primary education at Rujeko Primary School, before enrolling at St Dominic’s and Mutare Boys High for his secondary school studies.
By his own admission, Bhamusi does not hesitate to change a club when he sees it fit.
“When I feel the environment is not good for my career, I move on. I do not have any regrets about that,” said the soft spoken star.
To his credit, his talent has shone brightly at the respective clubs he has played for.
After the 2018 season with Triangle, and also after an impressive show in the 2019 season with CAPS United, Bhamusi bagged the Soccer Star of the Year finalist accolade.
However, the talented player said with CAPS United, he feels at home.
Bhamusi said, “I’m enjoying good relationships with everyone – the fans, the bosses and my teammates have made me feel at home. The fact that I also grew up a CAPS United fan might also be contributing to that.”
There are numerous players who only turned out for a single club in their entire careers, or at least spent the greater part of their careers at particular clubs.
Football geniuses such as Memory Muchirahohwa and Moses Chunga evokes memories of the Harare outfit, Dynamos.
Peter Ndlovu and Mercedes Sibanda take us down the memory lane to the days of Emagumeni, as the Highlanders’ fortress – Barbourfields Stadium – is fondly referred to.
At international level, Ryan Giggs or Giggsy, as he is affectionately known to United’s loyal fans, might not have notched up as many appearances as Rogério Ceni, but he’s unquestionably been more successful during his incredible career at Manchester United.
With 963 Manchester United appearances to his name, the Welshman has won the Premier League thirteen times, the FA Cup four times, three League Cups and two Champions League winner’s medals.
One of Alex Ferguson’s most loyal servants, Giggsy, never let his colourful personal life affect what he could do on the pitch for Manchester United.
The Italian legend called Paolo Maldini is another great example of loyal footballers.
Maldini retired at the age of 41 after playing an incredible 902 appearances for AC Milan and winning 26 trophies along the way.
Winning the Champions League five times with one club obviously earns you hero status, and Maldini retired as a living legend.
