‘British’ praises Government British applauds Government for taking Independence celebrations beyond major cities

HIGHLANDERS’ legend Douglas ‘British’ Mloyi has praised the Government for decentralising Independence Celebrations from the traditional hubs of Bulawayo and Harare.

Mloyi told Zimpapers Sports Hub that taking the national event to different parts of the country was a boost for development, with football also standing to benefit.

“Honestly speaking I would like to say it is a good move to have the celebrations taken to other centres other than Bulawayo and Harare. In the past Harare has had a lion’s share of the hosting of the event but now it’s being taken around which is very positive and good for national development and unity,” said Mloyi, a Bosso legend who won multiple pieces of silverware during a career that spanned more than 12 years at the top level.

He said football thrives when quality facilities are built and when rural communities are exposed to Premier Soccer League teams they may previously have only heard of or read about.

“It is taking football to the people and the added bonus is that rural folks get to watch our top Premiership sides.

“Youngsters get a dream come true experience when they get to see some of their heroes that they would have heard or read about,” said Mloyi.

This year’s main entertainment highlight on Independence Day at Maphisa in Matabeleland South will be a football clash featuring Highlanders and Scottland.

A day earlier, Mpopoma Sports Academy will clash in a women’s football match, an encounter expected to serve as a strong showcase for women’s sport in the district and the wider region.

Mloyi is a former winner of the Independence Cup, having lifted the trophy as a player in 1986. He was also part of the national squad in 1980 when the Warriors beat Malawi 4-0 in the final.

He also spoke about how former Dynamos and Zimbabwe skipper Sunday Chidzambwa helped him settle into the Warriors camp ahead of the 1981 Independence Cup.

Mloyi and Chidzambwa worked together at Insport, with Mloyi based at the Bulawayo branch while Chidzambwa operated from Harare.

“Chidzambwa made me settle in camp with ease. He was able to tell me what to do and the expectations on us from the coaches,” said the former Highlanders defensive stalwart, who made his debut in a 1-0 loss to Zambia a week before the Independence four-team tournament.

He described being part of the Independence tournament as a significant form of recognition for any player.
“That is among my career highlights and I will always treasure that moment,” said Mloyi.

The Warriors went on to win the four-team tournament organised for the 1981 Independence celebrations and, a week later, travelled to Zambia for the return leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, which they lost 2-0, resulting in a 3-0 aggregate defeat for a young Zimbabwean nation barely a year removed from international isolation.

The call-up of Mloyi, Madinda Ndlovu and Ernest Sibanda saw them follow in the footsteps of legendary defender Tymon Mabaleka, who had made history the previous year.

However, Sibanda was later dropped from the final squads for both the AFCON qualifier and the Independence Trophy.

Zimbabwe beat Mozambique 6-1 in the semi-finals of the Independence Trophy, while Malawi edged Zambia 2-1, before a heavy 4-0 defeat to the hosts in the final at Rufaro Stadium.

The 1981 Independence Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Bruce Grobbelaar, Raphael Phiri, Lucky Dube
Defenders: Oliver Kateya, Misheck Chidzambwa, Douglas Mloyi, Majid Dhana, Steven Chuma, Sunday Chidzambwa (Captain), Rodrick Muganhiri

Midfielders: David Mandigora, Stanford “Stix” M’tizwa, Archford Chimutanda, Max Tshuma, Hamid Dhana
Strikers: Shakyman Tauro, Edward Katsvere, Stanley Ndunduma, Madinda Ndlovu, Rodrick Simwanza, George Rollo, Joseph Zulu