A look at Zimbabwe soccer exports

INDEPENDENCE opened up avenues for Zimbabwe soccer players to go abroad and make a living as professional footballers.

Sadly, a great generation of footballers had their talents put to waste because of a Fifa suspension. It was brought by Ian Smith’s segregatory policies and the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of 1965.

Moreover, the colonial template had football as a recreational sport and players were paid a pittance. A bottle of Castle lager was good enough at the end of a match for most of the clubs.

Britain did not do anything to ensure that the best talent from the country got an opportunity to play even in its own shores, knowing the players’ predicament.

Even after Independence, as the former colonial master, nothing was deliberately done to capture the many great stars that were emerging.

Portugal took Freddy Mukwesha in 1965 and it would take an English team up to 1991 to pluck out a gem from the country in Peter Ndlovu to Coventry City in the UK.

The arrival of Independence in 1980 meant Zimbabwe could now play international football as national teams and clubs.

That opened up avenues for Zimbabwe soccer players to go and play outside the country legally.

Ebson ‘Sugar’ Muguyo, Max ‘Shaluza’ Tshuma and Onias Musana decided to come back home from South Africa, where they had moved. A return home could see them play for the national team and go to other audiences other than South Africa, who had been banned from international football. The ban also meant that they could not continue to play there and be eligible for their countries. There was also the Gleneagles Pact of 1977, signed by Commonwealth countries, prohibiting players who continue to have ties with South Africa to move to any of the members states.

Bruce Grobbelaar was the first Zimbabwean to move to Europe. After leaving Zimbabwe Saints before Independence to play for Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada, the goalkeeper, among Zimbabwe’s most successful players abroad, Grobbelaar started off with Crewe in the UK before landing a life-changing opportunity, replacing Ray Clemence at Liverpool before going on a dream journey that would win him everything Europe and English football had to offer.

Some, like Graham Boyle, who played for Jomo Cosmos and Greg Faasen opted to go and play for South African clubs.

An influx of foreigners from 1984 saw the likes of Summer Ncube, Themba Lunga, Jethro Hunidzarira, Roy Phiri, Clever Hunda pioneer in moving to Botswana.

Legendary Madinda Ndlovu could have pioneered moves by Black players to Europe, had he not been blocked by Highlanders in 1985. After impressing at Sheffield Wednesday following a trial, Madinda saw his dream career change blown by club politics.

Zimbabwe then waited until 1987 when Moses Chunga moved to El Aaast in Belgium’s Division Two.

Highlanders got a breakthrough for its players to Europe in 1989, but it would not serve Bosso and the players any good. Madinda, Willard Khumalo and Tito Paketh who were playing some breathtaking football moved to a regional league side in Germany and stayed for two years.

Mercedes Sibanda and Rahman Gumbo moved to Randers in Denmark, but did not last long.

Ephraim Chawanda, Max Makanza Lunga and Henry Mckop moved to Germany too, to play in the lower leagues.

It would be until 1991 that Peter Ndlovu would impress Coventry and join them to become the first and longest serving player from Africa in the Premiership.

His elder brother would follow for trials later at Manchester United ,only to lose out to the phenomenal Eric Cantona.

Flood gates appeared to have been opened as more players moved abroad.

Below is a list of some of the most prominent players and their destinations:

Seychelles: Musaleka Jenitala

United States of America: Methembe Ndlovu, Patrick Daka, Mubariki Chisoni, Alois Bunjira, Tawanda Chitapi, Teenage Hadebe, Lucky Mkhosana, Thulani Ncube, Joseph Kabwe, Thabani Moyo, Wayne Albertyn, Tatenda Mukuruva, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Mkhokheli Dube, Nyasha Dube

UK: Henry Mckop, Bruce Grobbelaar, Paul Gundani, Peter Ndlovu, Marvelous Nakamba, Benjani Mwaruwari

Switzerland

Adam Ndlovu, Agent Sawu, Harlington Shereni, Benjamin Nkonjera

Denmark — Mercedes Sibanda, Rahman Gumbo

France

Marshall Munetsi, Benjani Mwaruwari, Tino Kadewere, Ovidy Karuru

Saudi Arabia — Gerald Takwara, Knowledge Musona

Spain — Tino Kadewere, Martin Maphisa

Czech Republic — Kennedy Chihuri

Belarus — Enrique Ndlovu

Albania

Nkosilathi Khumalo, Edwin Ndiweni, Philani Ncube, Richard Choruma, Mlungisi Ndebele, Melusi Ndebele, Collin Nyambiya, Busani Ngwenya, Noel Kaseke, Matthew Kanyala

India

Stanley Mashezha, Noel Kaseke, David Mkandawire

Cyprus: Noel Kaseke, Rahman Gumbo, Agent Sawu, Kennedy Nagoli, Joel Luphahla, Eddie Mashinya, Kennedy Nagoli, Thabani Moyo, Obidiah Tarumbwa

Greece: Zenzo Moyo, Kennedy Nagoli

Germany: Madinda Ndlovu, Tito Paketh, Willard Khumalo, Ephraim Chawanda, Max Makanza Lunga, Gift Lunga (Snr), Henry Mckop, Knowledge Musona, Davis Mbidzo

United Arab Emirates: Noel Kaseke, Magu Dliwayo

Israel: Energy Murambadoro, Wilfred Mugeyi

Thailand: Eddy Guraldo, James Matola

Sudan: Edward Sadomba, Cuthbert Malajila, Last Jesi

Libya: Cuthbert Malajila

Brazil: Kennedy Nagoli

China: Nyasha Mushekwi, Agent Sawu

Ukraine:
Musa Mguni

Turkey:
Norman Mapeza, Teenage Hadebe

Poland: John Phiri, Norman Mapeza, Usman Misi, Alois Bunjira, Edelbert Dinha, Gift Muzadzi, Takesure Chinyama, Herbert Dick, Clemence Matawu, Prince Matore

South
Africa: Wilfred Mugeyi, Liberty Masunda, John Mbidzo, Washington Arubi, George Chigova, Ephraim Mwale, Ronnie Jowa, Alexander Maseko, Ephraim Chawanda, Henry Mckop, William Mugeyi, Benjani Mwaruwari, Method Mwanjali, Khama Billiat, Tapuwa Kapini, Tinashe Nengomasha, Stewart Murisa, Charles Yohane, Luke Jukulile-Petros, Willard Katsande, Agent Sawu, Danny Phiri, Butholezwe Ncube, Kuda Mahachi, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Evans Rusike, Tafadzwa Rusike, Jimmy Jambo, Evans Gwekwerere, Edzayi Kasinauyo, Rodrick Mutuma, Cuthbert Malajila, Esrom Nyandoro, Adam Ndlovu, Peter Ndlovu, Gilbert Mapemba, Devine Lunga, Knox Mutizwa, David Mkandawire, Tendai Ndoro, James Phiri, Dominic Sithole, James Matola, Blessing Moyo, Knowledge Musona, Walter Musona, Prince Dube, Cleopas Dube, Gabriel Nyoni, Elvis Chipezeze, Obidiah Tarumbwa, Mkhokheli Dube