Three months after suffering a grizzly road accident that left him without one hand, Hardlife Zvirekwi completed his first game since the accident, helping his side CAPS United to a clean sheet in a barren draw against Platinum FC in the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League match on Saturday 21 July 2018.
Zvirekwi was involved in a horrific accident on the evening of Monday 12 March as he was returning home from a friend’s party when his vehicle lost control as he was negotiating a corner. In a bid to save himself from serious injuries to vital body organs the defender used his hand as a shield, an effort that left his hand severely injured. Zvirekwi had to undergo an amputation to his left arm after the severe injuries.
Many feared that would be end of the 31 year old’s playing career but, Zvirekwi was not to be put down by his enforced disability after medical doctors gave him a glimmer of hope of returning to the playing field.
The former Warriors skipper overcame his physical challenges as he came on as an 87th minute substitute in the 0-0 draw against Harare City two weeks ago.
He was again called off from the bench in the 0-0 draw against Bulawayo Chiefs this time as a tactical substitution in the 34th minute for Joel Ngodzo. After his string of wonderful performances in the defense Zvirekwi was trusted with a starting role and managed to add another clean sheet in yet another barren draw against Platinum FC.
Zvirekwi promised to give his all for CAPS United after his return, “Most people want to look at me with pity in their eyes and sympathy stitched on their faces.
Some want to tell me how sorry they are. I understand this is a response born of compassion and of a desire to comfort. I am not sorry about my situation. My hope is to be competitive for my club. I am back and I will play to the best of my ability.”
I was more than excited, the feeling was extraordinary. I gave all the glory to the Almighty for making the impossible very possible.”
The player, who made his international debut for Zimbabwe five years ago, insists he has not retired from international duty for the Warriors.
“I haven’t retired internationally as yet. The Almighty willing,” he added.
“I still want to break new ground again to represent my nation – in my condition – to inspire other people that the impossible can still be achievable if you are determined and hardworking.”
The defender isn’t the first Zimbabwean player to undergo amputation while still in their active days of playing with Hwange defender Brian Njobvu having his leg amputated after he was accidentally run over by a team bus in Victoria Falls in 2001.
In Germany, the late former VFB Stuttgart player Robert Schlienz had his left forearm amputated following a car accident on August 14, 1948, but made a comeback four months later.
Despite the amputation, Schlienz captained VFB Stuttgart and led them to the German Championship twice in 1950 and 1952, and they were runners-up in 1953 and lifted the German Cup twice in 1954 and 1958.