End of war saw renewal of football passion

THE end of the liberation war in 1979 was refreshing in so many ways for Zimbabweans.
It marked the end of hostile rule under Ian Smith.

There were all the reasons to smile, a return home, family reunions, back to school and hope of a future that had looked bleak as each day passed by with freedom fighters pressed and sought to overrun the enemy.

For Joshua Mushirivindi Moyo, the end of the war was equally a relief but it gave him a chance for another dance with the beautiful game.

Moyo had crossed into Botswana enroute to Zambia to train under ZPRA. He trained in Angola and Zambia and was deployed to operate in the Magunje area, Mashonaland West Province.

His football talent showed when he was at Pamushana Primary School, where he played as a goalkeeper. He had started his primary School education at St Columba’s in Bulawayo and remembers some guys like former Highlanders and Bulawayo Wanderers’ dribbling wizard Tanny Banda as having been among boys in the hood at the time.

He had started playing football as a kid for Bulawayo City which was owned by local company Jack and Jill, who trained at Callies.

Bishop and Chris Moyo were among some of the players.

Bishop went on to play for Bulawayo Wanderers.

Inspired by the great team in the making of Zimbabwe Saints, he had joined its Under-14s and hung on there until 1977, when he skipped the border to Botswana to join the armed struggle.

At ceasefire, he went to Papa Assembly Point in Mashonaland West and was part of the camp’s team that played against locals and clubs from as far as Karoi and Chinhoyi.

He chose to be demobilised in 1980 and rejoined his family in Bulawayo.

In 1982, Moyo chose to return to competitive football, joining Congo Chiefs in the lower leagues under Zifa and in just two matches, Bulawayo Sables owned by the Delta Beverages of today, came calling.

“I did not last two matches there before I joined Bulawayo Wanderers, who later changed to Eagles. I was there competing for a regular starting place with Johannes Tshuma and Nelson Noza Dube.

“I had lost a bit of the touch, it was a good decision to dump my career to liberate the country. I am happy I am among those who returned and continued with their careers,” said Moyo.

He played alongside Stoneshead Moyo, Felix Nyoni, Rahman Gumbo, Elvis Chiweshe and Boy Ndlovu to mention a few of the classy team from Number One (White City).

Among those known to have returned from the struggle to continue with the game at the highest level are Smart Moyo, who is running a football programme in Nyamandlovu, the late duo of Jerry Chidawa of Black Rhinos and former Highlanders goalkeeper George Moyo.

A whole Highlanders Under-16 left for the struggle in 1976, and was followed by reserve team members in 1977.

There are other players from Zimbabwe Saints and Highlanders reserves like Jeku Thondlana and the Mukahanana brothers, who left in 1974 to fight for Independence.