Washington Navaya is playing the game with a smile again.
In his home city of Gweru, among well-known acquaintances, the TelOne forward is not only pursuing scores but also savoring each instant on the field.
He expresses, 'Scoring in front of my loved ones at home brings me immense happiness that I haven’t experienced in quite some time.' He also mentions feeling satisfied being in Gweru.
For many years, Navaya chased soccer stardom throughout the nation, starting from his impressive early days at ZPC Munyati through the high-pressure environment of Highlanders. However, as the stress intensified, the sport started losing its appeal. Currently, playing for a team mere minutes away from his childhood home, this tall striker has regained the pleasure that initially drew him to football.
After just four matches in the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Navaya has scored four goals, notably securing the victory with a decisive goal in Saturday's 1-0 win against CAPS United at Ascot Stadium.
That win propelled TelOne to third place on the leaderboard with seven points and reinforced Navaya's role as a crucial player in the WiFi Boys' initial push for the championship.
However, beneath the statistics lies a profound and emotionally charged odyssey characterized by stress, disappointment, and eventually, recovery.
Born and raised in Gweru's Mtapa township, Navaya's football dreams were shaped on the community fields of the Midlands capital. He went to St Michael's Primary School, then Nashville High, before completing his A'Levels at Mambo High School. His rise through the football ranks was swift and impressive.
At ZPC Munyati, he earned a reputation as a natural finisher. That form caught the eye of Highlanders, the club he had adored since childhood.
"I had always wanted to play for Bosso, so when the opportunity came, it was a dream come true," he says.
His debut came in a Chibuku Super Cup fixture on May 23, 2021, and he marked it in style, scoring just before half-time.
He remembers it feeling like paradise," he says. "However, you understand that scoring goals and achieving inner calm are distinct experiences.
Even though he began on a high note, Navaya's tenure at Highlanders proved emotionally draining. Over the course of three seasons with the mighty Bulawayo club, he struggled to find stability, frequently burdened by the immense pressure associated with playing for one of Zimbabwe’s premier teams.
"The time I spent at Bosso might very well rank among the high points of my career; however, the burden of expectations consistently weighed heavily on me," he states.
I needed to build a resilient spirit since, similar to other major teams, they cherish their supporters and thus constantly aim for victory and nothing below that standard.
The relationship came to an abrupt end in 2023 when Highlanders declined to renew his contract. The exit was painful.
Occasionally, as I ponder over the conclusion of our relationship, I sense that perhaps God intended for me to return home, reconnect with my true self, and regain inner tranquility.
In the well-known streets and markets of Gweru, peace has arrived. Leading the charge for Herbert Maruwa’s TelOne team is Navaya, who isn’t merely excelling but also rediscovering his love for the sport.
In the first four games of the season, he found the back of the net every time, positioning himself as a strong contender for the Golden Boot award. During the match against CAPS United, played in front of an enthusiastic local fan base, he once more showcased his composure, concentration, and determination.
He states, 'Facing a larger team, particularly when playing at home, is consistently a significant challenge. You can’t allow yourself to be off your game, which means you must put in substantial effort to maintain your fitness.'
Given how well I'm performing now, this semester might turn out to be my strongest in quite some time.
His voice exudes self-assurance—neither arrogant nor boastful—but rather steady, like a seasoned footballer who has found inner calm. This tranquility is fueled by his passion for the sport and bolstered by the encouragement he receives from those surrounding him.
Although it's still early, accumulating points indicates that we're heading in the correct direction.
TelOne has clearly stated their goals for this season; they aim to contend for the league championship. Boasting a strong base, substantial squad depth, and an acute attacking lineup spearheaded by Navaya, they appear well-positioned to make a serious run at it.
Maruwa has placed trust in Navaya for spearheading the assault, and the attacker has taken up this mantle willingly.
"Maruwa and TelOne have given me a platform to rediscover myself and also transform me into the lethal forward that I'm becoming."
His personal goal? To hit double digits in goals and mount a serious challenge for the Golden Boot.
"I hope I will enjoy an injury-free season and also be consistent throughout," he says. "As a team, we have a positive attitude and we feel inspired to succeed."
And unlike past seasons, where each goal felt like a survival mechanism, each strike now feels like a celebration, not just of football, but of coming full circle.
Navaya is no longer chasing peace. He's living it, week in, week out, in the city that raised him.
He's playing with joy again. And it shows.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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