He joined Dynamos at the tender age of eight in 1966 as a junior while staying at Number 5 Matererini Flats just a stone throw away from where Dynamos used to train. Four years later his family moved from Mbare to Mufakose.
That was the death of the young man’s dream, as his parents could not afford bus fare for him to commute for training with his beloved team.
However, today the man the fans affectionately called “Sekuru” during his heydays is living his dream through his son Cuthbert Malajila.
“I am happy with what Cuthbert has achieved so far. Dynamos is a very big institution which we supported as young boys and if my son can play for it, then there is always a reason for me to be proud,” he told Standardsport while preparing a cow’s head at his braai stall in Mufakose’s shopping centre, popularly known as “kwaMhishi.”
Proudly wearing a Warriors’ number 13 Legea yellow jersey with “Malajila” emblazoned at the back, Makosa chronicled how he ended up at Rio Tinto in Kadoma.
“I was very disappointed at failing to train with Dynamos, but I did not give up as I joined Mufakose area Zone Junior FC where we were coached by our former coach at Dynamos Denver Mahachi.
“I remember being called to represent the Zimbabwe Under 14 side that faced Malawi in an international friendly match in 1976.
“I remember playing alongside Archford Chimutanda, Dominic Pedro and Dean Mclean was the head coach,” he said.
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He flirted with a number of teams in the junior ranks before having his break when he packed his bags to join then star-studded side Rio Tinto in Kadoma in 1980.
“Rio Tinto provided me with a platform to showcase my talent in the Super League. The team was then being coached by John Rugg and it included the likes of John Phiri, Wonder “White Horse” Phiri, Charles Chirwa and David Mwanza.
“We managed to reach the finals of the 1982 Castle Cup and the Rothmans Cup in 1983 where we unfortunately lost to CAPS United on both occasions,” said Makosa while tending to the cow head that was being prepared for lunch-hour customers.
Makosa, who represented Zimbabwe between 1983 and 1984, opened up about a relationship in Kadoma with Esther Malajila that produced son Cuthbert.
“Of all my children, Cuthbert is the only one with his own mother. Malajila is his mother’s maiden name. We were in a relationship and it just happened that she got pregnant.
“It did not work out, so we could not get married. Cuthbert grew up with his mother in Kadoma,” he said.
Cuthbert is the third born, following after Takawira and Susan. The other son is Tawanda.
Cuthbert confirmed to Standardsport that Makosa is, indeed his father.
“Yes, Makosa is my father,” he said.
