Dribbling wizard buried

THOSE who watched and played with Mandla Balanda are all in agreement that he is one of the best dribblers the country has ever produced.

Some of the names that pop up when one speaks of dribbling in local football are Moses Chunga, Mike Abrahams, Boy Ndlovu, Kakoma Kayonga, Stix M’tizwa, Madinda Ndlovu, Peter Ndlovu, Doughty Sithole, George Shaya, Tutani Moyo and Majuta Mpofu.

Balanda who breathed his last on Sunday and was laid to rest at the Umvutshwa Cemetery yesterday was in that class of dribblers. He had been battling with an illness and had been in and out of hospital in the last couple of months.

Sunday morning, the 9th of July 2023, will be recorded in the history of football as a dark day.

The football community woke up to the sad news of the passing of former Highlanders forward Balanda, a 54-year-old, who will forever be remembered for his dribbling skills and the good panelbeater he got to be on retirement.

He played for Eagles, Darryn T, Hunyani and Highlanders in Zimbabwe. He also had a stint in Botswana with Gaborone United where he gained legendary status. After retirement, he played for social club Ndola Stars.

In his days, Balanda left defenders in sixes and sevens, and fans screamed themselves hoarse in appreciation.

This was an era in local football when fans arrived at stadia well ahead of time to make sure they did not miss a second of the action when dribblers of note strutted their stuff on the pitch.

Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu says he has seen a few players who come close to Balanda with regard to dribbling.

“Balanda would dribble opponents into dizziness. Had he played in this era in which it has become easier for players to move abroad, l have no doubt he would have made it far. I have been in this game for a long time and l can tell you he was a great talent,” said Zulu.

Highlanders legend Douglas British Mloyi concurred with Tsano.

“When it comes to dribbling, very few come close to Balanda. With the ball at his feet he could embarrass opponents with his skill. Outside the field of play he was a likeable and jovial character,” said Mloyi.

Noel Cele who did not get a chance to play with him as Balanda was senior to him said:

“I believe it was in Botswana where he really dazzled opponents. When l got my Botswana deal, everyone was talking about him and how they had loved watching him. They called him Mandla ‘Inkosi’ Balanda because he was that good. Off the field he was just a good fellow,” said Cele.

Netsai Moyo said: “The very thing that comes to the mind of someone who watched Balanda is his dribbling prowess. For him, it was just so easy. No opponent liked facing him as he was that good with the ball. His brother Clement was also a good player but Mandla was more gifted technically.”

Just a few days before his passing on, overseas-based former Zimbabwe footballers raised funds to help him with his medical bills.

They raised US$335 which was presented to the family by Netsai Moyo. — @innocentskizoe.