Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE iconic Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa, Zimbabwe’s first captain at Independence, vividly remembers the country’s first ever international match.
Two days after Zimbabwe was proclaimed an independent State, a four-nation tournament was arranged as part of the maiden Uhuru festivities.
Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia were invited.
Zimbabwe thumped Mozambique 6-0 in the semi-final, in what was the Warriors’ first-ever international match at Rufaro on April 20, 1980.
All of Zimbabwe’s scorers on that glorious day are now late, but not before etching their names in the country’s football folklore along with their then skipper Chidzambwa.
Shacky Tauro with a double, Onias Musana (brace), Oliver Kateya and Bethal Salis were on target for the Warriors.
Chidzambwa wore the armband and played in a back four that included his brother Misheck, Steven Tshuma and Kateya.
“It was a carnival atmosphere that day.
“Rufaro was packed and this was our first game as the national team after Independence,’’ Chidzambwa reminisced.
“We really wanted to please our fans and we responded by thumping Mozambique.
“We had a very strong squad, the likes of Robert Godoka, Steven Tshuma, Oliver Kateya, Misheck Marimo, Fresh Chamarenga, Max Tshuma, David Muchineripi, David Mandigora and Shackman Tauro,’’ said Chidzambwa.
The following day, on April 21, 1980, Zimbabwe won the tournament after edging northern neighbours and would be perennial rivals Zambia 2-1 in the final at Rufaro.
Mandigora and Tauro found the Warriors goals.
“Tauro was a sniper, he would get crucial goals for the team,” said Chidzambwa, whose playing career was cut short by a terrible injury off a Joseph Zulu tackle in a match between Dynamos and Rio Tinto.
He was 31 when his career prematurely ended.
Chidzambwa began his career at Metal Box in 1971 where he was also an employee at the club’s parent company.
Metal Box won promotion into the then Super League at the end of 1972 and the following year they the Super League title.
“Sadly, the owners of the club said they would not continue sponsoring the team and decided to sell the franchise,” said Chidzambwa.
Metal Box’s franchise was sold to Chikwanha Hotels and the team was renamed Chikwanha Rangers.
“I played one season at Chikwanha Rangers before I was snapped by Chibuku Shumba”.
At some point Chidzambwa was snubbed by Dynamos, but would later join the Harare giants in 1976.
“An Indian businessman who operates in town, introduced me and Oliver Kateya to Morrison Sifelani.
“Sifelani said he didn’t know me, and he only took Oliver Kateya from Metal Box.
“Frustrated, I went back home to Highfield.
“Then boom, the owner of Chibuku Shumba came to my home with $500 cash, back then it was a lot of money.
“Remember the local currency was stronger than the US dollar.”
Immediately, Chidzambwa signed for Chibuku Shumba.
He played for Chibuku Shumba until 1976 when Dynamos captain George Shaya and Simon Sachiti persuaded him to join DeMbare.
Chidzambwa played for Dynamos from 1976 to 1983 until his injury.
Before injury forced him out Chidzambwa had also captained Zimbabwe in their first ever World Cup qualifier, which they lost 0-2 to Cameroon away in October 1980.
The Warriors won the reverse tie 1-0 at Rufaro on November 16, 1980 but fell short on aggregate scores.
“What a moment that was,” recalls Chidzambwa.
David Muchineripi scored Zimbabwe’s first ever goal in a World Cup qualifier.
“We were just starting our football journey as a country but we showed our class.
“Yes, we were a bit behind teams from West Africa, but we stood toe to toe against them.
“Imagine Cameroon had the great Roger Milla and the fans must have enjoyed our win in Harare,” said Chidzambwa.
He also captained Dynamos between 1978 and 1982.
In 1982, Chidzambwa became player assistant coach at DeMbare after a short coaching and playing attachment at Aston Villa in England.
Chidzambwa also had coaching classes in Brazil in 1984 and 1986.
“I went to England with Shaw Handriade and when we came back I began to assist Shepherd Murape at Dynamos.”
Chidzambwa then endured an on-and-off relationship with DeMbare before reaching the pinnacle of his club coaching career in 1998 when guiding them to the CAF Champions League final.
He remains the only coach to achieve such a feat.
Six years later, Chidzambwa made history again, becoming the first coach to lead Zimbabwe to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia.
Chidzambwa also won the COSAFA Cup for a tournament record four times in 2003, 2009, 2017 and 2018.
The legendary gaffer also recalls how difficult it was playing football in pre-Independence.
“Long distance travelling was always a security issue, such that we would not travel by road to Wankie.
“We would fly long distances as it was not safe during the war,” revealed Chidzambwa.
He still feels Dynamos should have won the CAF Champions League in 1998.
“We had a very strong team but unfortunately we lost some of our key players before the final like Kaitano Tembo, Tauya Murehwa, Claudius Zviripayi and Vitalis Takawira.
“If we had taken them to Ivory Coast we would have beaten ASEC Mimosas and won the Champions league.”
Chidzambwa also revealed some of the best players he worked with.
For him, Peter Ndlovu remains the best player he ever coached.
Ndlovu was captain when Zimbabwe qualified for their maiden AFCON finals in 2004.
“At Dynamos I had Moses Chunga and Memory Mucherahowa, very brilliant players.
“At the Warriors Peter Ndlovu was something else, very skilful and yet very disciplined.
“Ronald Sibanda and Desmond Maringwa were also good.
“Overall, I also think our squad at the AFCON finals in 2004 was solid. Kaitano Tembo, Dumisani Mpofu, Agent Sawu, Charles Yohanne, Esrom Nyandoro, Joel Lupahla, Tinashe Nengomasha, Peter and Adam Ndlovu, those were top players.
“Lazarus Muhoni was also effective although fans didn’t like him. He scored crucial goals.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa