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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
FORMER Bafana Bafana star Sibusiso Zuma is impressed with what he has seen in his maiden trip to Bulawayo and Zimbabwe. The former African Wanderers, Orlando Pirates and Supersport star was the guest of honour at the Benjani Mwaruwari Junior Soccer Festival held at White City Stadium at the weekend. He presented awards at the end of the tournament before an appreciative audience which scrambled to catch a glimpse of him as he arrived in Mwaruwari’s car before the final which pitted Mpumelelo and LMC Academy yesterday.
“I was once at the same level with these boys playing at some tournament in the township. I featured in the Mabhena Tournament when someone identified me and recommended me to African Wanderers.
“That year we won promotion to the Premiership as I partnered Siyabonga Nomvethe and Phumulani Mkhize. I later moved to Orlando Pirates and abroad because I had received good mentorship at an early age and lived my dream,” said Zuma.
Zuma, one of Bafana Bafana’s top scorers with 19 goals, said he was impressed with the talent at the Benjani Mwaruwari tournament.
“The boys from this team that was putting on red (Bantu Rovers) played some beautiful football. It’s a pity they could not make it to the final but I have liked the way they played,” he said.
The South African soccer legend had lots of praises for Bulawayo and its people.
“This is the first time I am in Zimbabwe. I have liked the people and Bulawayo environment, the people have been welcoming and the set up brilliant. Benjie and I are good friends and we share the same vision of creating a future for the boys through events such as a tournament like this one.
“What I know is that at times out there there could be someone watching who could be a life changer. The boys must take seriously the opportunities like this one that come before them and strive to be soccer professionals like Benjie,” said Zuma.
He said he was also impressed with the high level of co-ordination and management exhibited by Mkhuphali Masuku and his team which had Zifa’s Mkhululi Mthunzi.
“It was all spot on. It is good to see people work so hard for the future of the game. These tournaments help expose talent at all levels. Boys want to emulate their legends and what Benjie has done I am happy about it and I wish stars for the future could emerge.
“The talent is there among the youths and what is left is for it to be nurtured. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country with nice people who seem to love their game.”
The former South African striker said he was still negotiating for a deal and attributed discipline and hard work to his longevity in the game.
He turns 39 this June and believes he could be in the game for a year or two.
Zuma said, “ I did not play as many times as I would have loved due to injury (this past season). I believe I am still available for a year or two. I work hard on the pitch and try to lead by example. I love training and I encourage youngsters to do the same.”
He impressed many with his humility. He was available for everyone who wanted have a chat with him.“As footballers we owe it to the fans. We should always be available to them when they want to meet us because they made us the stars we got to be,” said Zuma whose ginger hair has been his trademark.
derick.khumalo