Former CAPS United, Dynamos, and Highlanders forward Stewart Murisa is set to celebrate his birthday on July 18 with the highly anticipated launch of his autobiography, titled Shutto 15: The Untold Story.
The book launch, generously sponsored by United Kingdom insurance firm Diaspora Insurance, promises to be a grand affair.
“We initially planned a football tournament launch for July 19, the day after my birthday,” an excited Murisa shared from his UK base.“However, the generous sponsorship from Diaspora Insurance has allowed us to elevate the launch with glamour and style, making this a truly special birthday.”
Signed copies of Shutto 15 will be available for purchase, with a special edition copy slated for auction to the highest bidder.
Murisa confirmed that bids and pledges will be open to everyone, including his fans back home in Zimbabwe.
The football tournament, featuring Zimbabwean legends based in the UK, will still proceed as planned.
Journey of triumphs and tribulations
In the 250-page autobiography, Murisa offers an incredibly honest and candid account of his football career and personal life, living up to the book’s title.
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He takes readers on a captivating journey from his humble beginnings in Chitungwiza to becoming a Zimbabwean football icon.
The book details his triumphs, including winning the Zimbabwean championship with CAPS United in 1996 and being named Soccer Star of the Year.
Murisa also delves into his unique history of playing for the country’s three biggest clubs, exploring in intricate detail the intense rivalries between Dynamos and Highlanders and how he navigated the pressure of crossing that divide.
However, Murisa’s story is far from a fairy tale. He bravely confronts the challenges he faced, including enduring racial abuse in Europe and the devastating betrayal by a close ally.
The book offers a deep dive into his emotional struggles, particularly the impact of a severe injury that shattered his dream move to Europe.
Throughout Shutto 15, Murisa’s humility is evident as he candidly acknowledges his shortcomings in both his personal life and career, at times seemingly too hard on himself, especially concerning his contributions to the senior national team.
He powerfully states his commitment to truthfulness, avoiding exaggeration for vanity's sake.
“I have never been enchanted by a superficial life lived in a world of make-belief and fantasy, especially in this day and age of social media where it has become easier than ever to make things up. I keep it real. There is nothing to be gained from convincing people that you are what you know you aren’t. You can cheat everyone else but you can never cheat your own conscience, hence I embrace my achievements in much the same light as my failures and disappointments.”
Murisa’s book is a well-crafted narrative that will captivate readers of all generations. Its tone fluctuates between light-heartedness and stridency, depending on the topic.
For instance, he addresses racism in Poland with a mix of sternness and flippancy, while his reminiscences about “the football people” — such as Kevin Chadenyika (Sporadic), Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga, William “Naughty” Mokoena and Ashley Makanya — are full of comical anecdotes.
The hilarious feuds between Lovemore Nyabeza and Wieslaw Grabowski are also sure to leave readers in stitches.
Murisa joins a select group of Zimbabwean soccer legends who have penned their autobiographies, including legendary goalkeeper Japhet Muparutsa, who published Japhet ‘Short Cat’ Mparutsa: From Mbare Township Kid to National Soccer Star in 2016 and former Dynamos goalkeeper Memory Mucherahowa, whose autobiography The Soul of 7 Million Dreams was released in 2020.
“I urge fellow legends out there to record their stories,” Murisa implored.
“Everyone who played football must have an interesting story to tell. They need to do it for the sake of their families because once your story is put to paper, it is there for life.”
