By A Correspondent- While some footballers seem to struggle after hanging their boots with nothing to show for their sweat, this is, however, a different case for Golden Munandi, a Cowdray Park-based sweets vendor who now rides a blue VW Polo that he purchased three weeks ago.

Munandi (35) is a former FC Platinum, Caps United, Black Rhinos, Triangle, Border Strikers and Zimbabwe Saints player, who after turning out for 19 local teams decided to hang his football boots at the beginning of the year.

“I used to be a laughing stock in the society. Some people questioned why I had ventured into the business of selling chocolate sweets. However, that did not dampen my spirits. While from football I only got fame, friends without fortune courtesy of my sweet vending venture I managed to buy a car three weeks ago,” said the easy going Munandi.

The teetotaller added: “I personally believe in hard work, a doctrine that I adopted when I was young. I go to Zaoga Church where we are continuously taught to work using our hands. My challenge to footballers is that even if their legs can still carry them, they should consider venturing into different businesses. Even if it means selling tomatoes, they should not be shy what society will say about them. For the past 18 years, I enjoyed playing local football. I was so nomadic all in search of greener pastures.”

The pint-sized former midfielder is one of the many uncelebrated players who helped Zimbabwe’s league champions FC Platinum earn Premier Soccer League promotion in 2010.

He speaks of a trail of broken dreams and broken promises by Pure Platinum Play.

“With the great work I did for the team since our days in the lower divisions, the treatment that I got from them at the end of the day was a slap in the face,” said Munandi.

He is still seething over contractual issues that he feels disadvantaged him.-statemedia