Lawrence Maphosa
HIGHLANDERS Football Club has a rich history of remarkable strikers who have significantly contributed to its success and legacy.
As the club celebrates its centenary, it’s essential to recognise some of these standout players.
Notable strikers that come to mind include Zenzo Moyo, Paul Tsumbe, Chris Mhlanga, Adam
Ndlovu, Ralph Matema and Cuthbert Malajila.
As we celebrate Highlanders’ 100 years of existence, we look at some of the strikers that
mesmerised defences in the club’s colours.
Notable pre-Independence strikers are Tsumbe, Majuta Mpofu, Josiah Nxumalo, Chris Mhlanga,
Peter Bepe, Gibson Makanda, Itai Chieza, Isaac Mafaro and Tymon Mabaleka.
Post-Independence came in the likes of Adam Ndlovu, Mark Watson, Phineas Mabaleka, Lemman
Mnenekwa, Rahman Gumbo, Dumisani Ngulube, Sautso Phiri, Tobias Mudyambanje, Gift Lunga
(Senior) Zenzo Moyo, Ralph Matema, Thabani Msawi, Cuthbert Malajila, Knox Mutizwa, Charles
Sibanda, Lynnoth Chikuhwa, Obidiah Tarumbwa with some winning the top goalscorers’ award.
Adam Ndlovu probably rates as the most prolific having more than twice been the top goalscorers
and found the back of the net more than 80 times for Highlanders with several hattricks, the most
remembered being the 1990 Zifa Cup final against Dynamos won by Highlanders.
Several other players scored over 50 goals for the club, while others won the top goalscorer’s awards
without reaching that milestone.
Adam alongside Mark Watson, Ralph Matema, Gift Lunga (Senior), Tsumbe belong to the group
that scored over half a century of goals for the club.
There is also a legion of hattrick heroes notably Zenzo Moyo, Tymon Mabaleka, Mark Watson,
Adam, Amin Soma-Phiri, Ralph Matema and Cuthbert Malajila who provided sweet memories with
headed goals.
Adam, Tymon Mabaleka and Watson will always be remembered because they were scored in cup
finals.
Brighton “Maninja” Ncube who had a love and hate relationship with Highlanders fans until his
release in Julyn this year, is the last striker to score a hattrick before the club celebrated 100 years
of existence, his name hangs up there in the hall of fame.
Ncube’s distinction stands in that in the last decade he was the first striker to net a hattrick and last
before the centenary celebrations.
The club also has strikers who notched a four-goal haul in a match.
On the list are former club strikers Ralph Matema, Darlington Phiri, Eddie Nyika and Thabani
Masawi.
Adam, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, also shone in Switzerland and in Warriors colours.
Following closely is Watson and Matema, who, when he retired, had scored almost 100 career goals
(97) in the Premier Soccer League after joining Yadah of Harare.
Sixty-five of those goals were scored at Highlanders.
They are some Highalnders strikers who excelled and went on to play football outside the continent,
namely Adam, Zenzo, Eddie Mashinya, Obidiah Tarumbwa and Lunga (Snr).
Others found glory elsewhere when they left Highlanders, these being Malajila, Matema, Stewart
Murisa, Eddie Nyika, Eddie Dube, Bigboy Ndlovu, Darlington Phiri, Washington Navaya who
recently won the 2025 Zimbabwe Player of the Year and top goalscorer’s award with Gweru-based
TelOne.
He has kept the same scoring boots at Hardrock where he is the top goalscorers for club and
country with 17 already.
There is Prince Dube who signed for a Tanzanian club six years ago and did well there until his
return in July to join Hardrock who are close to winning the Castle Lager Premiership title.
Strikers kept fans believing and coming to the club’s matches at home and away.
These strikers have not only showcased skill and flair but also solidified Highlanders’ identity as a
formidable force in Zimbabwean football.
