The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
FORMER national team goalkeeper, Washington Arubi, earned the admiration of many including his own handler, James Meya after a man of the match display that helped ABSA Premiership promotion aspirants, Stellenbosch United snatch a crucial point last Sunday at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
National First Division side, Stellenbosch United, which is Arubi’s new home after signing for the team before the January transfer window closure, are currently in fourth position and in the race for ABSA Premiership promotion.
Arubi’s handler, Meya, who is popularly known as Hwetu in soccer circles in the sprawling suburb of Sakubva, watched the match pitting Stellenbosch United and Royal Eagles FC that ended in a one-all stalemate on Sunday at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
“It was so refreshing to watch him (Arubi) showing that he still has something to offer. It was indeed a great comeback for him. He had a good game on his debut for Stellenbosch United. I really hope that the trend will continue in that direction and possibly see him back in the ABSA Premiership.
“The player might have gone through some rough moments owing to some setbacks in his career, but the good thing is that he seems focused now. Remember they were playing a team that is second on the log and they were away, this shows the depth in his new team and possibly that will culminate into Premiership promotion for Stellenbosch United,” said Meya.
Arubi was a regular in the Warriors line-up, but in recent assignments the media shy goalminder has been overlooked with young Dynamos keeper, Tatenda Mukurua and How Mine shot stopper Bernard Donovan making it into the final squad ahead of the former Dynamos goalkeeper.
At 31, it appears Arubi is in the twilight zone of his career. His departure from ABSA Premiership side, University of Pretoria spelt doom as he struggled to find a new home until his recent contract with Stellenbosch United.
The former La Sakubva player was a regular and played every game under Sammy Troughton earlier in the ABSA Premiership.
However, he fell down the pecking order since the arrival of Shaun Bartlett.
The Zimbabwean goalminder joined AmaTuks, following a move from Dynamos FC in 2012.
Arubi is one of the players to have been mentioned in match-fixing allegations which have rocked football in recent times, along with his Tuks teammate and fellow Zimbabwean, Partson Jaure, a development that had a negative effect on his chances to secure a new club after leaving University of Pretoria.
