Muchichwa: down in the dumps

His mother, Maria Chinongo, recently told The Zimbabwean that Muchichwa’s life belied his erstwhile status as the star of South African glamour club, Kaizer Chiefs, where he scooped numerous awards. “He has nothing to show for all the hype that accompanied his fame as a footballer because he is really suffering,” said the 68-year-old Chinongo.

“Even now, he claims to be a coach in Free State, South Africa, but his living conditions do not reflect that. He is embarrassed to come and visit us and spends time hiding in his brother’s house in Njube. I don’t know when I last saw him.” Muchichwa’s current condition has apparently caused a separation between the former left-footed player and his South African wife, who left with the couple’s kids when his life took a turn for the worse.

The utility player, a dribbling wizard in his heyday, also apparently dribbled his way out of responsibility at home. His mother accused the former Warriors left-back of abandoning the family when he enjoyed the limelight.

“I raised him with hope that one day he would look after me, but he did not do that. I used to regularly read about him in newspapers and watch him on television, but that did not benefit me in any way. He always told me that Kaizer Chiefs did not pay him, but I knew that was a lie.”

Chinongo said her hopes now rest on Nqobile Ncube, a child Muchichwa allegedly abandoned at pregnancy, who plays for Bulawayo-based Division One outfit, Zimbabwe Saints and is apparently making up for his father’s failure.

“He is the one taking care of me now. Had it not been for him, I could be living in the streets now,” added the distraught woman.

A tour of Chinongo’s house in Phelandaba high density suburb showed abject poverty that belied her son’s status as a decorated former footballer.

One of Muchichwa’s younger brothers, who requested not to be named, confirmed that the former speed merchant failed to manage both his life and earnings.

“Robson failed himself. He did not render any assistance to the family and we struggled throughout life while he enjoyed South Africa. He made a lot of

money, but his situation now is

really bad. He spends his time smoking dagga to try and relieve himself from stress,” said the brother.

Muchichwa refused to grant our reporter an interview. He cut his teeth with Eagles, but was lured to Black Aces by Coach Peter Nyama. After a great showing for the Gold and Black outfit, he was snatched by South African side Qwa Qwa Stars and later Kaizer Chiefs.

He won the Player of the year and Players’ player of the year award in the South African Premiership, before he crossed the floor to Chiefs’ Soweto rivals, Moroka Swallows, where he ended his glorious career.