Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
FREDDY ALICK is not one of the entrusted deadball takers at Dynamos.
The 24-year-old never wanted to play football as he had already relocated to South Africa despite DeMbare’s interest in him.
He had been one of the stars for the club’s juniors.
But coach Genesis Mangombe and his assistant, Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe, made huge efforts to convince him to return home and rejoin the Glamour Boys earlier this year.
And yesterday, coming on as Donald Mudadi’s replacement in the second half, Alick showed just why his coaches had to go out of their way to lure him back.
With Dynamos trailing 1-2 to defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro, the Harare giants won a free-kick just outside the area.
Kevin Moyo and Emmanuel Jalai got behind the ball but a confident Alick grabbed it.
With the three arguing, captain Frank Makarati quickly intervened and told Alick to take it.
He converted it for the equaliser, and the point.
“I was just confident that I would score. But, obviously, I couldn’t take the free-kick because I am not one of the designated deadball takers,” he said.
“But once Makarati intervened, I felt as if I had been given a spring.
“I just said to myself that I would take it and win the hearts of the Dynamos fans in the stands.
“I summoned my energy and angled the ball home. I would like to thank my coaches and captain Makarati for the trust they have showed me.”
He added:
“But, this is already water under the bridge. We need to keep on grinding the results. We could have won the game with a bit of luck.”
The match was touted as the decider of who would become the first coach, between Dynamos’ Mangombe and Takesure Chiragwi of Ngezi Platinum Stars, to be axed.
But the game turned out to be a see-saw affair with DeMbare opening the scoring through Valentine Kadonzvo before Takunda Benhura drew the visitors level.
Then Farai Madhanaga scored a spectacular goal to take the miners to the break in the driving seat.
Then, Alick’s stunner arrived and the points were shared.
He has a name which, in terms of stars, belongs to Macheso.
He will be hoping he can also be a star.