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Mbongeni Ncube
LENGENDARY Highlanders goalkeeper Peter a�?Oxoa�� Nkomo is one of the few players that gave Bosso years of excellence.
Nkomo (ABOVE) played for Highlanders in the late 1970s and also represented the national team at the Olympics in 1980.
He was once a Goalkeeper of the Year and was also part of the 11 Soccer Star of the Year finalists in 1988.
A number of goalkeepers that include eccentric Tapiwa Kapini, Munyaradzi Diya, Ariel Sibanda, Wahington Arubi, Njabulo a�?Popoa�? Nyoni, Tafadzwa Dube, George Chigova, Energy Murambadoro and Johannes Tshuma were mentored by Captain Oxo.
B-Metro sports chronicles his journey and dedication to the black and white team. He was born in Bulawayo and went to Lozikeyi Primary School. He joined Highlanders from the Under-6 age-group which was coached by Mackenzie Sibanda and Mbawulo. He rose through the ranks until he made his break into the first team in 1977.
Bruce Grobbelaar is also one of the people that inspired top notch goalkeepers at Highlanders that pushed Oxo to the top with the like of Ananias Dube in 1975 and 1976.
He lived under their shadows until he got his break when Grobbelaar left for Durban Callies and Dube for Olympics.
He had to later contend with competition from Smart Moyo and George Moyo to be in the top pecking order before the two left the country for Zambia to join the liberation struggle.
When Dube left a�?Oxoa�� became the first choice goalkeeper but he had to contend with the competition of Yonah Malunga later.
In 1977 Highlanders won the South Zone Soccer League. Veterans like Billy Sibanda, Lawrence Phiri, the late Majuta Mpofu, Tennyson Mloyi and late Tymon Mabaleka all where instrumental in the team.
In 1979 Highlanders played in the national league with teams such asA� Gweru United, Hippo Valley, Zisco, Hwange and Zimbabwe Saints.
In 1979 the national league was split into two with Bosso in the Southern Region. 1980 brought about one national league.
Veteran players like Billy Sibanda, Lawrence Phiri, Josiah Nxumalo, Tymon Mabaleka, Majuta Mpofu left HighlandersA� and the team was almost relegated from the national league.
The club was left with the then young players but coach Bobby Clark and Cosmas Zulu started using the juniors.
In 1984 the team won the Chibuku Trophy beating Dynamos 2-1 with goals coming from Madinda and Willard Khumalo.
In 1980 Zimbabwe was invited to the Olympics and a�?Oxoa�� was part of the team.
He was also part of Zimbabwea��s Five-a-Side team that played at the World Cup in 1989 hosted by Holland.
In 1988 Bosso won all silverware on the market except the league title.
Until 1990 Highlanders won the league title led by Roy Barreto and Oxo was the man between the posts.
Nkomoa��s career ended after a series of injures in 1994.
He has since coached several clubs including Highlanders and PC Platinum and the national team at one point.
Online Reporter