TOMORROW is former Sporting Lions, Mwana Africa and Highlanders’ goalkeeper, Lovemore Makwavarara’s 32nd birthday, but had he succeeded in committing suicide five years ago, the day would have passed like any other day.
Report Albert Marufu
Prior to the suicide attempt, Makwavara would compete for space in the newspaper pages for his hugely undoubted goalkeeping talent, as well as his misconduct.
They say mischief and kids go hand in hand but for the Mbare-born player, it continued way into his adulthood.
At one time he was arrested for urinating in full view of everyone at Rufaro in a league match featuring his side Sporting Lions and Black Rhinos.
However, it was the suicide attempt following a dispute with a mistress he had impregnated in 2007 that became the masterstroke he needed to turn his life around.
“God works wonders. I am talking to you today because of him. A lot was happening around my life that time, which led me into drinking those pills. The incident made me realise that God has a plan for me. I became a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and upon my retirement from the game, I want to be a pastor,” said Makwavarara.
“Looking at how I have behaved in the past, I think I will make a good pastor. I no longer believe in most of the things that I used to believe in, even juju. Only God is the key.
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“If God uses me to preach the Word, people might listen because I have testimonies to tell. The fact that I survived the suicide attempt is a clear testimony that God has power over everything that moves. ”
Makwavarara said looking at how his career has evolved since the suicide attempt, more was still to come.
“I went on to win the Northern Region Division One championship with Douglas Warriors, and the Independence trophy with Highlanders. I also participated in the Confederations Cup with Lengthens. If I am to get a new club, I will not play on Saturdays, in accordance with my church,” he said.
Makwavarara, who lives in a rented single apartment in Waterfalls while his three kids are being looked after by his mother in Guruve, advised today’s players to save money.
“We used to get a lot of money especially at Mwana Africa and Sporting Lions, but because of lack of foresight, I did not invest. This is the problem with most players and that is why we lack respect in society. There are players such as Desmond Maringwa and Esrom Nyandoro, whom you will never hear of any wrong-doing, but they are painted in the same bad brush. We should change that perception,” he said.
