In what seems to be a masterstroke by Zimbabwean international attacker, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Orlando Pirates have been left with their jaws dropped! The 29-year-old star requested to be released from his contract to be closer to his family, only for the Tshwane-based SuperSport United to approach Bucs for his services! This could be interpreted as someone leaving a place where they are not appreciated, in search of love!
What really happened? Pirates announced the player's surprise exit with the following statement, on their official website: "Terrence Dzvukamanja approached the Club pleading to be released to play in Zimbabwe to be close to home in order to address pressing family matters. After consideration, the Club offered to pay his salary whilst sorting out his personal issues at home. The Club acceded to this on compassionate grounds.
As part of the Club's commitment to players' welfare, Orlando Pirates makes an effort to, where possible, meet the players' requests in circumstances that help amongst other things, their mental wellbeing.
The Club was therefore surprised by an approach from SuperSport United for the player's services since the Club had made plans to include the player in their CAF Champions League squad. With this new development, the Club will release Dzvukamanja to SuperSport United."
When you look at the turn of events, this is sure to draw mixed reactions because Dzvuka was one of the most celebrated players, towards the end of the season, at Pirates. Therefore, there will be those who feel disheartened to see him leave, especially for a local club rather than going abroad or back home as the club seemed to initially think. However, you don't need an elephant's memory to remember that the same player had a love-hate relationship with a section of Pirates supporters. He's been on the receiving end of torrid treatment from some of the very same people he goes out to perform for week in and week out. He has been heavily linked with a move away from Bucs, with SuperSport consistently predicted to be one of his next possible destinations, even before this past season started.
It became evident that he wasn't a favourite of a section of the Soweto giants' supporters and they made their feelings about him known, even booing their own player at some stage. If you noticed Dzuka's body language, there was a lot of restraint from himself after scoring a goal, lest he becomes a new 'Thamsanqa Gabuza', who infamously scored and showed his booing Bucs supporters a 'middle finger'. Yes, Dzvuka was unlucky at times, but can any Pirates supporter accuse him of lack of effort? His goal celebrations, or lack thereof, in recent times, demonstrated all the traits of an unhappy footballer.
They showed a side that has no place in football, at any level, because we can't have players refusing to celebrate their goals because that's a clear indication of the player's unhappiness. This section of Buccaneers supporters treated Dzvuka badly just like they did with Gabuza and it comes as no surprise that their exit and next home are the same. Him asking to be released was no surprise, but the same can't be said when you ask for permission to go play in Zimbabwe to be closer to the family and attend to pressing issues, only to turn up in Tshwane. Unless the Zimbabwe and 'home' he was referring to is a new suburb in the Capital City, that we don't know of yet.
Football is as much a game of entertainment as it is business. No player wants to be disrespected, feel unwelcome or play for people who don't appreciate them. Unfortunately, this is no time to point fingers or exonerate anyone, as the actions of the section of the supporters affect everyone associated with the club. While the contract is still running, players are expected to perform at their utmost best without any excuses.
As supporters, we also need to take stock at the end of the season and realise that we have a far bigger role to play in the players' performance by showing up at the stadium, fully supporting the team through good and bad times and stop booing our players. Surely that's not too much to ask of us, to keep our teams going?
When players don't feel the love and support, it becomes a lonely and cold journey for them. Players talk and, at the end of the day, as it has been mentioned a couple of times on this platform, players are human too and we must never make the mistake of forgetting that they also have feelings. Don't think other players are not feeling the pain inflicted on one of their own – they share the pain. It affects them too because "Who's next?" keeps ringing in their ears and it affects the team spirit.
After the final whistle, these players go back to their families and communities, where they are respected and looked up to. That's when deeper conversations take place and unpopular decisions are made, while you've already forgotten about booing him and still celebrating his goal. You can't hate a player today and then want to celebrate him when he scores tomorrow, thinking everything is alright. The goal celebration doesn't erase the boos. That's why it is important to support the team wholeheartedly so that we don't get to see another 'Gabuza moment' because there is just no place for it in our football.
We can't have players feeling unappreciated and Dzvukamanja will one day open up about his situation, although he's already hinted that he was not happy about his treatment, by refusing to celebrate his goals. There were times Dzvuka was asked to warm up and the coach's decision was met with loud jeers, instead of cheers, from the stands, only for the player to come on, create or score for the team and the very same supporters start celebrating! You then expect him to share that celebration with you?
Unfortunately, you can't have your cake and eat it. As supporters, we've got to understand our role is to support the team day and night. You don't choose moments to become a real supporter. If you call yourself a Pirates supporter, there is absolutely no place for you to boo your own players, it should never happen. That is counter-productive because the same player you're booing now is expected to make things happen for the team and put a smile on your face. How do you feel about Dzvuka scoring that late winner in the Nedbank Cup final against Sekhukhune United, right at the end of the game? A well-taken goal at that and it was all Pirates needed to be crowned Champions. Then you want to celebrate the man you had booed and lambasted and think he will be happy about it?
Players need to feel loved and supported and for Dzvuka to leave the way he did, it is a clear indication that he had no problem with the club management, technical team, teammates and the supporting staff at the Houghton-based side. He also didn't have a problem with Pirates supporters but just a section that seemed to make it their mission to make his life miserable despite his genuine efforts for the team. Unfortunately, players – and not supporters – come and go and therefore fighting them is a futile exercise.
All the players can do is move on to a place where they will be appreciated because their happiness is the most important thing. Dzvuka will feel the much-needed love and support at SuperSport because he's worked with coach Gavin Hunt and a couple of his new teammates at now-defunct Bidvest Wits. The SuperSport supporters have no history of booing their own players. The Zimbabwean will be looking forward to enjoying football again, something he probably hasn't done in over a season now! Make of this experience whatever you want, but remember that players are human too. On his day, Dzvuka is a lifesaver on the field of play, but that counts for little if the people he's doing it for are not celebrating or appreciating him. Truth be told, he really caught Pirates by surprise, but everyone will surely see where he was coming from with this move!
And oh… Remember, as from next week, Soccer Laduma will hit the shelves on Thursdays.
Cheers
