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The herald
Albert Marufu in LONDON, England
The legend of ZIMBABWE and Liverpool, Bruce Grobbelaar, may have spent most of his life abroad but the former goalkeeper can not hide his long cherished dream of returning to Zimbabwe and leading the Warriors to the final phase of the Football World Cup.
In his recently published explosive autobiography, "Life in a Jungle", to which he collaborated with author, journalist and animator Ragnhill Lund Ansnes, Grobbelaar talks about his brilliant career and his ambition to lead the 39, Zimbabwe National Team.
Grobbelaar was a member of the popular "Dream Team" which sparked a lot of pbadion among the Zimbabwean population in the mid-1990s under the late German coach Reinhard Fabisch. The former goalkeeper revealed that England had also tried to persuade him to play for the Three Lions at that time, but that did not happen because he had already appeared for Zimbabwe (match qualifier for the World Cup against Cameroon in the early 1980s).
"Looking back, thinking of the dreams I was wearing when I was a child, I am happy with what I overcame in life. I wanted to play for Liverpool and I realized that dream. I wanted to play for my country; I played for the Dream Team.
"I wanted to manage my country; I have managed my country five times. But I still dream of taking Zimbabwe to a World Cup before being too old. I would like a last dance with the Dream Team, "he wrote.
Grobbelaar was hoping to qualify for the World Cup finals during his career, but the Warriors of the day were still haunted by the demons of failure when it mattered most.
Grobbelaar, who has spent a decade in voluntary exile, hopes to return home and settle in Zimbabwe after being charmed by the new political derogation led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The former guard had visited the country earlier this year and could not hide his joy and love for Zimbabwe.
"As much as competing in a World Cup had been a big dream – even though I was out of Zimbabwe and had lost my pbadport; Although I have not been able to play for my country during my peak years, Zimbabwe is my homeland and will remain so forever. Representing Zimbabwe has made me proud, "he wrote.
Grobbelaar also talked about the last time he coached the Warriors and the loss of his job.
"In 1998, I became acting player-coach of the Zimbabwe National Team for five games, winning twice and shooting once. The experience has exposed to the type of corruption that occurs in African football. And when I tried to challenge what was happening, I soon found myself out of work, "he wrote.
He added: "Leo Mugabe is the nephew of Robert Mugabe (the former president) and he became president of ZIFA. When I asked him about the location of the sums owed to certain players, he did not answer the questions with kindness. For a short time, my pbadport was taken back, although the authorities returned it to me when I started working in South Africa. "
Grobbelaar further revealed his disappointment at the number of caps he has for his country.
"I wonder how many games would have been played if my pbadport had not been removed between 1985 and 1992. According to Wikipedia, I played 32 games, but there were also a lot of unofficial games , which leads me to almost 50
"Zimbabwe lost me at my peak. Maybe they could have reached the World Cup if they allowed me to play. In the end, they only invited me in 1992, mainly for fear of representing South Africa after the end of apartheid and playing against Zimbabwe. Reinhard Fabisch was named new head coach and wanted the best goalkeeper on the team.
"ZIFA was unaware that FIFA's decision was final; I could not play for another country than the one I had already represented in an official FIFA game, "he wrote.
Grobbelaar also explained how he lost his Zimbabwean pbadport in 1985 and that England had tried to persuade him to play for them, but only so that FIFA could thwart their demand, since he had already represented Zimbabwe.
"I have been denied by Zimbabwe. My first autobiography ("More Than Somewhat") was published a few months ago. The Zimbabwean government, headed by Robert Mugabe (the former president), read it and was not impressed. I did not know it before trying to renew my pbadport in London.
"It may sound outrageous, but comrade Mudede greeted me that day. My staff had captured it in the Honde Valley during the Bush War in 1976.
"Nearly ten years later, Mudede was working as a Zimbabwean attache in London. He called me in his private office and said, "Bruce, you want your pbadport. But you upset us. "What do you mean?" From his desk, he pulled out a copy of my book, "More Than Something". Throughout the book, I had called the rebels (freedom fighters) terrorists. . . If you had changed all these words into freedom fighters and comrades, we would have renewed your pbadport. So, unfortunately, you will not get your pbadport back, "he wrote.
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