adminCharles Mabika Special Correspondent
THE local football fraternity was once again plunged into mourning following the death of former CAPS United and Black Rhinos industrious midfielder Bernard “Bhenza” Timbenawo on Tuesday. Timbenawo (57) succumbed to a long-standing stomach and celebral ailment at his Mbare home in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “Bhenza”, who was born and bred in Mbare, embarked on his illustrious career at Chitsere Primary School and was an active member of the suburb’s famous Stodart Youth Club where he flourished under the direction of Philip Magness and Timothy Chamunorwa (both late).
Timbenawo’s colleagues in that youth squad were the likes of former Black Aces skilful linkman Boniface “Keegan” Makuruzo, ex-Dynamos’ menacing left winger Edward “Madhobha” Katsvere (late) and the legendary goalkeeper Japhet “Short Cat” M’parutsa.
“Bhenza” trekked to the Dynamos junior ranks where he featured in the first team of the Under-14s and Under-16s before he was spotted by the late legendary coach Ashton “Papa” Nyazika who drafted him into his famous Third Division project, Glens Strikers, which rapidly gained promotion into the top flight in the late 70s.
At Glens Strikers, Timbenawo was among a host of players who later became household icons like Stanford “Stix” M’tizwa, Archieford “Chehuchi” Chimutanda (late), Raphael “Tsano” Beira, Joseph “Bhofani” Chingwalu (late), Dixon “Dhickela” Ngwanya (late), Kumbi “Rabhz” Mutimba (late), Jim “Brown” Anthony (late), William “Weeds” Chikauro and Itayi Tambala.
When Myazika left Glens Strikers to join CAPS United in 1978, he took Timbenawo, M’tizwa, Ngwanya, Chikauro and Chingwalu with him.
A hard-tackling and industrious ball winner, Timbenawo was in the history-making Green Machine’s first title winning side of 1979 (under Nyazika), which also included the likes of ‘keeper Steven Chisango, Charles “Raw Meat” Sibanda, Joel “Jubilee” Shambo and Shacky “Mr Goals” Tauro.
Nyazika would once again lure the likes of Timbenawo, M’tizwa and Chikauro to Black Rhinos — a side he co-founded with head coach Shepherd Murape in 1982.
And once again success followed Timbenawo when he helped his side win an historic League and Cup double in their debut season in the top-flight in 1984.
“Bhenza” hung up his boots in the mid-90s after an on-and-off battle with the disease that eventually claimed his life.
Murape, who is now coaching Majesi FC in the South African National First Division, expressed shock at Timbenawo’s death.
“Bernard was perhaps the most underrated player of his generation, but I had a lot of faith in him because he always gave you a 110 percent effort. He always trained hard and followed instructions very attentively.
“I honestly rate him as one of the best players I have ever worked with,” said Murape.
Benard Kuwana, who toured Australia with Timbenawo when they were part of the national Under-14 team in the early 1970s, described his former teammate as “a real gem of a player in the middle of the park”.
Timbenawo is survived by two daughters, Patience and Molly. Mourners are gathered at No. 59 Runyararo Road, Mbare.
Online Reporter