Dube’s decree: Play for the badge, not the bank

THROUGHOUT its history, from the mid-1960s, Highlanders became known as a team that produces good players from its junior development.

The likes of Lawrence Phiri and Billy Sibanda became the pioneering players of the club’s youth system in the mid-1960s.

The next batch of juniors had players like Chris Bha, Ephraim Moloi, Douglas Mloyi, Builder Nyaruwata and Collin Dube.

Dube, who was born on 16 November 1954 in Mberengwa, joined the Highlanders juniors in his early secondary school days at Cyrene Mission.

He said on arrival at Cyrene, Douglas Mloyi’s brother, Themba Mloyi, recommended him to the first team, since he knew how good he was from Bulawayo, and he did not disappoint, playing as either a winger or midfielder.

After his primary school days at Mafakela, Dube moved to Mzilikazi and joined the Highlanders juniors. When he completed his four years at Cyrene Mission in 1972, in the following year, he was almost full-time with the team, rising to the reserve side alongside his peers Moloi, Willie Luphahla, Philemon Siziba, Bright Dube, Marshall Mahlangu, Bekithemba Sibanda, Nyaruwata and Mloyi.

“I played as a winger at Mafakela Primary School, where I remember Highlanders’ David Phiri and Wankie’s Denis Gumunyu were my juniors. After primary school, I went to stay with my dad’s elder brother in Mzilikazi, and every holiday I would train with the Highlanders juniors,” said Dube.

The juniors were under Washington “Come To Washie” Mpofu and Mackenzie Sibanda.

Dube said the legendary Ali “Baba” Dube apprenticed as a juniors’ coach under Mackenzie.
He recalls winning a juniors’ tournament, beating Zimbabwe Saints, then Mashonaland United, in the final.

“The Mashonaland United juniors of that time included Zebron Magorimbo, Max Tshuma, Isaac Banda, Amos Sauramba and one Boniface who was a good player. They were a competitive side,” said Dube.
Dube said the 1973 Chibuku Trophy triumph over Mangula had inspired them as juniors. They wanted to be the next generation of heroes.

“As the reserve team, we were inspired by the first team’s triumph in the Chibuku tournament. Obviously, when you are at the reserve team level, you aspire to play for the first team. We were all inspired, and even to this day, I remember the gallant heroes Ananias Dube, Lawrence Phiri, Edward Dzowa, Zenzo Dabengwa, Billy Sibanda, Boet Van Ays, Tommy Masuku, Josiah Nxumalo, James Nxumalo, Tymon Mabaleka, Cavin Duberley and the Mpofu brothers Jeffrey and Mike, who sat it out on the bench. They inspired us as juniors,” said Dube.

His break with the first team came in 1974 during the Jairos Jiri Fete Charity match played at Gwanzura Stadium.

“The reserve team went to play Sakubva United in Mutare and was on the bench for the first team that played Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium. Willie, Mloyi and I were thrown into that side, and I came in later to partner the former and James Nxumalo in midfield. We beat Dynamos 4-0.

“While at first I may have been overawed by the occasion, Dynamos had very good players on the field, George Shaya, Isaac Nhema, Kuda Muchemeyi, Simon Sachiti and Stephen Chimedza. I gained a lot of confidence after that game and I became a regular first team player,” said Dube.

Playing a game of that magnitude with his heroes Mabaleka, Dzowa, Phiri and Dabengwa made it look like a point of no return.

“That was my baptism, and I never looked back. We put in a lot of hard work in the first team. Isaac Mafaro was a very fast player, but I would outdo him. Our coach, Silas Ndlovu, would make us do shuttles, of which I took 45 seconds to complete, with Mafaro taking 46,” said Dube.

He said during their time, there was quality and entertainment in the game.

“We would go four to five matches without payment, and we would still go for training and matches and have the same commitment levels. At times club official Jonathan Themba Mhlanga, better known as J Themba, would go to his shop at Tikili Shops in Mpopoma and get money to pay us.

“We loved playing for Highlanders, playing for the badge and the fans. Football back then was backward in terms of science and training methods, but was very rich in entertainment value,” said Dube.

In his years, Bosso won the regional titles twice and the national play-off though he was not part of that team.

He said clubs in the league were very competitive and mentions Dynamos, Sables, Mashonaland United, Arcadia and Wankie as having been hard to beat. Wankie had David Khumalo, Mwape Sakala, Amos Rendo, Nyaro Mumba and Rodrick Simwanza, Shaya and his Dynamos, the local derby against Zimbabwe Saints, provided for good games, said Dube.

Dube was among those who stayed behind when a majority of the senior players and regulars left to form Olympics at the end of 1976, and saw Bosso play in the South Zone Soccer League in 1977 and 1978.

“It was a trying time. I am happy we showed loyalty and saved the club from collapse. I then moved to rightback, playing alongside Mloyi. I enjoyed time with the team, and I remember shutting out Onias Musana of Black Horrors and James Nxumalo coming to the dressing room with a hat full of money. One Sibanda, who was a court assessor, came to the dressing room to say Highlanders owes its win to me,” said Dube.

He believes a lot of the players of his era could have played outside the country had they been given the chance to.

Dube left Highlanders to play for his work team, Cotton Printers, who had Tennyson Mloyi and Peter Nkomo. They had a Division Two side.

“I remember Peter chose to stay at Highlanders, and he quit employment at Cotton Printers,” said Dube.
He played for Cotton Printers until the team disbanded in 1985.

“After retirement, I went back to being a Highlanders member and got involved in social soccer with Ndola,” said Dube.

He regards Edward Katsvere as the toughest player he faced as a rightback, while in midfield, he says Max TYshuma, Muchemeyi and Joseph Zulu were the most challenging.

Now retired even from formal employment, Dube is married to Maryelene Yalala, blessed with three girls and one boy, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.