Raymond Jaravaza
FORMER Highlanders midfielder Farai Mujokoro can barely hide his excitement when talking about his son’s recent call-up to the Under-20 national team.
Like any parent that has been done proud by their child, Mujokoro beams with pride as his son adds another page to the family’s growing football history book.
His son — Lexington Mujokoro — an 18-year-old emerging star is part of the Young Warriors assembled by coaches Tonderai Ndiraya and Mandla Mpofu to represent Zimbabwe in the Cosafa Championship in South Africa.
“No words can express how proud I am that Lexington got his first national team call-up. So many things have happened in the last couple of years to us as a family including the passing away of my sister but the boy remained strong and focused and now his hard work has paid off,” said Mujokoro by telephone from his base in South Africa.
The youngster turns out for First Mobile Sports Academy in Bulawayo.
The older Mujokoro says he welcomed his son and teammates at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday when the squad landed from Zimbabwe.
Father and son are in constant touch and football always takes centre stage in their conversations.
“We talk about football in general and I give the boy advice here and there especially on how he must carry himself as a person and footballer in order to realise his full potential. I have so much respect for his coaches at First Mobile Sports Academy as well as Ndiraya and Mandla Mpofu so it’s up to them to guide Lexington on the technical aspects of his game,” he said.
Mujokoro is a former Bosso and AmaZulu player who represented Zimbabwe in the Under-23 squad that was coached by Nelson Matongorere in 2002.
“Playing for the national team opens one’s eyes because you get to meet players from different leagues and clubs and I hope Lexington will learn a lot from the other guys in the squad. I always tell him to enjoy himself and play from the heart,” he added.
