AFRICAa��S BEST RIGHT BACK a�?RAMBOa��

Danisa Masuku
HIGHLANDERS Football Cluba��s history would not be complete without mentioning the late former Highlanders FC and Warriors defender Mercedes a�?Ramboa�? Sibanda.

He died at the age of 36 in 2002.

The charismatic player is a deserving Highlanders Hall of Famer posthumously for his service to Highlanders FCa��s silverware laden history.

His career can be traced from the junior ranks until he made it into the first team.

Ramboa��s (ABOVE RIGHT) service to the country put him among the best ever right backs to do duty for the nation after independence.

The Bosso and Zimbabwe football legend died at the beginning of August 2002, about four years after his retirement from football.

Former Bosso coach Barry Daka who worked with Rambo for more than a decade described him as a committed, hard working and disciplined right back.

a�?I began coaching him when I joined Highlanders FC in 1984. He was a committed player whose urge to win came second to none.

His right foot had enormous power whose shots were lethal,a�? he said.

Gibson Homela coached the late glowing defender before Reinhard Fabisch in the national team.

a�?He was that player who never strayed from instructions. He played according to the rule book.

He was that player who would win the ball or intercept it,a�? he said.

His career high moment was in 1987 when he became soccer star of the year.A� His other nickname was a�?Scaniaa�? because of endurance.

The Mzilikazi born defender was part of the Under-20 national teams that won the COSAFA Youth Cup three times in a row.

So impressive was that he had a brief stint with a Danish club in 1989 and came close to a move to dislodge Sam Ewe Khambule at Mamelodi Sundowns FC. .