Lazarus Muhoni leading by example

MUTARE – Most footballers struggle to make a living when they hang up their boots, but Lazarus Muhoni’s skill on the pitch is matched by his abilities as a businessman and musician. The company that he started last year in Harare, is about to open another branch in Mutare. Royla Hiring services specializes in both wedding deco, car-hire and video filming.The business acronym “Roy-La” was derived from the names of his offspring, Royce and Latifa.

When Zimbabwe senior national soccer team coach Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa included him in the team that was campaigning for the AFCON Africa Nations Cup finals in 2004 in Tunisia, many raised eyebrows over his selection arguing that Muhoni did not meet the standards of a national team player.

However, on a unforgettable September afternoon in 2003, he justified his inclusion in the first line up and later became the people’s favourite when he scored the famous and spectacular winning goal against Mali at the National Sports Stadium, giving berth to the historic Warriors’ first ever Nations Cup appearance.

He also made a household name in the local circles when he was the midfield kingpin for Mutare’s popular premier league side Buffaloes during its flirtation with top flight soccer, and further fattened his soccer curriculum vitae when he donned the Black Rhinos colours becoming one of its key players.

Raising the bar
From Black Rhinos, he raised his football calibre when he joined the most popular football team in the country – Dynamos and became an important member of the team during the famous Africa Champions league campaign. Because of his rising football fortunes, he crossed the floor to rivals Caps United, after the authorities at the popular club requested for his services.

And today, unlike other footballers who became loafers after hanging up their boots, Lazarus “Mali” Muhoni has established himself well as an uprising businessman and musician.“Mali”, a nickname he was awarded after his glorious AFCON qualifying goal against Mali, is now a proud owner of Royla Hiring Services, a business that he co-owns with his wife, Daisy.

The 34-year-old Mutare born entrepreneur is now based in Harare’s high-density suburb of Warren Park. He has been running the business fulltime soon after parting ways from professional football last year. “My business specializes in decorations and catering of weddings and parties. We also set up tents, stands, tables, and flower decorations for various events. We offer car-hiring services as well. So if you are looking for any one to do catering and decorations for your party or wedding, I’m your man,” said an elated Muhoni adding that they also provided video filming and photo shooting services.

Quizzed on whether why he chose to venture into a business outside sporting related perimeters, Muhoni said, “When I was growing up, I always had other aspirations apart from soccer, though football quickly took centre stage. Because of the commitment that the profession demands, it overshadowed some of my dreams. Apart from soccer I have great passion for music, so I can say that I’m a man of many talents.”

Musical circles
Muhoni has also made a name for himself in musical circles. He is a former member of the Voice of Sakubva Choir of the Chauta fame, a song that he self composed, benchmarking his ability as a songwriter. The song Chauta (God) rocked the airwaves and was a major hit in the gospel music circles. The video became an instant hit at the popular Prime Gospel Show televised on Zimbabwe Television. He is also a member of the Voice of Mbare choir, which caused waves with their national hit titled Nganganga. He also sang jazz songs with local music outfits called Band AHA and Band Mutare.

He ecstatically reminisced about singing with former referee Kenny Marange and other cronies for The Band Mutare, a Jazz outfit at various venues soon after playing for Buffaloes on various occasions. “I used to perform at various venues after every match. This developed my strong desire for Jazz music, which I occasionally play at Jazz 105 in Harare,” he said.

“I want to point out that though at times I feature in various nightspots, I neither drink nor smoke. I am a proud Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) devotee and I am the church’s choirmaster and director.”With such a repertoire, Muhoni can be best described in one word as multi-talented.

The death of former Warrior’s captain Francis Shonhayi was a wake up call that made him think seriously about his future after football.
“I remember attending Francis Shonhayi’s funeral after receiving news of his death. To many Francis was a football legend, a hero, but his funeral made me take a second glance about my future after I couldn’t play soccer like I used to.

“Francis had nothing when he died, we had to raise money to offer him a decent burial. From that point onwards, I knew I had to start investing the little I was earning and start my own business, something prospective soccer players should consider.“I was not fortunate like other players who had the privilege of playing for foreign teams, but I thank God that I have managed to do relatively well, as I can comfortably look after my family and still afford to save,” said the highly principled and business minded Muhoni, adding that he still had his heart into football.

He said, “I still have high hopes and ambitions in football, but, as for now I am coaching at various schools in Harare. A lot of people might expect me to be coaching big teams, but for now I want to focus on my business.”He added that he might start hunting for a coaching post for a local premiership league team in three to five years to come.

All Zimbabweans who are sportsman (especially those based in Zimbabwe) should take the opportunity to follow the footsteps of Muhoni especially young stars who might be receiving their first big pay cheques.Investing your money for the future is highly advisable for it’s a way to shield yourself from exposure to many risks in case of unfortunate circumstances. And yes you might not be getting a lot of money at the moment but that may not be a binding constraint to invest the little that you have or get.

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Posted by Sakhile Malaba on July 1, 2010. Filed under Entertainment,Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.