By Trevor Makonyonga
One of Zimbabwe’s young talents, Ernest “Tsongy” Mudzengerere has hung his boots at just 23 years which came as a shocker to most in the Zimbabwean rugby circles.
Tsongy took to Facebook to announce his decision to leave the sport in a post he titled #The last dance.
“Thanks to everyone that supported me over the last 15 years of my rugby career. I never thought this time would come this early in my life but well it’s time to say goodbye to the sport I loved the most.
Thanks to all my coaches that helped me and everyone that supported me.
Love you all”
Bustop TV managed to talk to the scrumhalf who said he was going to focus on his studies and consider an acting career.
“I’m just going to focus on my accounting. Currently, I’m studying with ACCA I’m just pushing so I can get out of the way and getting a qualification. I am also considering starting a fitness course as well as I have been involved in the fitness field for two years now. I have other business ideas that I can’t disclose now but once they are fully-fledged I will be more than keen to share. I will also be doing a bit of acting so I am going to look for some people to join because I have a great passion for acting I feel like I am a very good actor so I’m going to pursue that as well.”
Asked on why he decided to leave the sport at 23 years of age the now-former Sables half-back said the work he put in and the reward he got did not tally.
“Leaving the sport, I think I have given it time and I don’t think it was rewarding the amount of hard work I was putting in do I had to make a decision to leave and redirect the energy. My greatest was when I made my debut for the sables and also my man of the match in 2018 Africa gold cup in. those are my two best memories esp the one when I made my debut be with people like costa, Jacques and too bad who are rugby icons for Zimbabwe,” said Mudzengerere.
He also said that he believed that the current Zimbabwe Rugby Union board was doing all they could to try and retain players so that they could not leave the game.
“I think Mr Jani, Mr Mutongwiza and Mr Shone are really doing good work there because I feel they are doing all they can to bring back all the structures. I am so grateful for what they did for me they gave me an opportunity for me to get into the gym and start working, they were funding for all that. They were doing that for a number of guys which is commendable. If they continue with this enthusiasm I think Zim Rugby is going to get better with time. They are doing a great job. It’s tough times for Zim and fact that there is hope in what they doing I think it’s a great sign for us and it’s good for the sport.”
He went on to hint at a return to the rugby field in future.
‘I will always come back to rugby I think there is a high chance that after a few years I might consider coming maybe after two- three years. All I need to do right now is to settle down and focus on other things and then come back to rugby. I just need to get my feet on the ground,” said the scrumhalf.
