Father Zimbabwe endorsement How a teen Madinda Ndlovu leapt into the Warriors

BARELY six months after the late Vice-President of Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo, had recommended that Madinda Ndlovu be considered for the first team, the former youth and senior national team winger received his first call-up to the Warriors.

He was included in the squad selected for the 1981 Independence Cup tournament and the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zambia — a remarkable achievement for a player who, at just 15 years and 11 months, had only begun his Highlanders journey in September 1980.

The senior Highlanders side had toured Zambia, while Ndlovu featured in a reserve team match against the Gwayi River Assembly Point at a Barbourfields Stadium event. His electrifying performance caught the attention of the late Vice President, who questioned why the standout youngster had not travelled with the first team.

Ndlovu dazzled against the ex-combatants, who had former Highlanders goalkeeper George Moyo in goal. When the senior squad returned, Madinda was promptly drafted into first team training and earned several appearances before the year ended, following the departure of regular winger Doughty Sithole to the United States.

“To hear the late Father Zimbabwe commend one’s performance is not an everyday thing. It was a blessing that I received and it motivated me to believe that I was actually good enough and worth a trial with the first team.

“So when the first team returned from Zambia, boosted by my performance in the game against obhudi (ex-combatants), I took up the challenge and by the end of the year I had a number of games that I played. It was no ordinary side, a team that had bagged the 1980 Chibuku Trophy, reached the two-legged Rothmans Shield final and bagged the Heroes Cup. There were big names in Tymon Mabaleka, Majuta Mpofu, Mark Watson, Augustine Lunga, David Mhlanga, Lawrence Phiri and Douglas Mloyi. When around such, you feel protected and encouraged,” said Ndlovu.

In the week of 6-11 April 1981, head coach Shepherd Murape and assistants William Sibanda, Ashron “Papa” Nyazika and James Nxumalo sprang a surprise by calling up the teenage talent into a star-studded Warriors squad preparing for two major fixtures.

“It came as an absolute shocker. I was coming to grips with my game at the club and we had by then played a number of league matches,” said Ndlovu, who was already an Under-20 international — the first Highlanders player to be called up and capped for the Young Warriors the previous year.

Among those in the squad were goalkeepers Bruce Grobbelaar, Raphael Phiri and Lucky Dube. Grobbelaar had just secured a dream move to Liverpool, while Phiri was emerging as one of the country’s most dependable shot stoppers after joining Rio Tinto from Proton Stars.

Defenders Oliver Kateya, Misheck Chidzambwa, Sunday Chidzambwa (captain), Douglas Mloyi, Majid Dhana, Steven Chuma and Rodrick Muganhiri were also named, alongside midfielders David Mandigora, Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, Archford Chimutanda, Max Tshuma and Hamid Dhana.

The teenage winger suddenly found himself in contention for selection in the Nations Cup qualifier against Zambia on 12 April 1981, competing with established stars such as vice captain Shacky Tauro, Edward Katsvere, Stanley Ndunduma, Rodrick Simwanza, George Rollo and Joseph Zulu.

Ndlovu was one of three Highlanders players called up, although the late Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda was dropped from the final match-day squad. Mloyi started the match, but Zimbabwe fell 1-0 following a penalty conceded after a handball, with Zambia’s Peter Kaumba converting.

Ndlovu’s precocious talent saw him sharing the dressing room with legends — some who had represented Zimbabwe before Independence — including Sunday Chidzambwa, Chuma, Tshuma and Grobbelaar.

“It was one of the greatest times of my growth as a footballer and personality. I was treated well, and I believe the coaches were grooming me for the future by exposing me to the big guns. Those were great times, and I went on to play with some of the guys for over eight years before they retired.

“I gained a lot of experience from them, which I took to club football,” said Ndlovu, who went on to represent the Warriors until 1993, eventually sharing the national team with his younger brothers Peter and Adam.

Ndlovu was retained for the squad that played in the Zone Six Tournament hosted by Zimbabwe to mark Independence. Although he was not fielded as Zimbabwe beat Mozambique 6-1 in the semi-finals before thumping Malawi 4-0 in the final, the experience meant much more to him than the match minutes.

“Yes, being part of the team for the tournament meant a lot for me as I got to appreciate more about our country’s history and the blood that was spilt by our brothers and sisters. Having been at Highlanders and playing Gwayi River Mine Assembly Point team, young as I was, I got to appreciate the struggle for our Independence and to take part in the tournament and many years later meant a lot for my countrymen and me,” said Ndlovu.

Zimbabwe later lost 2-0 in the Afcon reverse fixture in Zambia, crashing out of qualification.
Over the years, Madinda Ndlovu has remained one of the most revered figures in the Highlanders family, holding several positions within the club.

His contribution to Zimbabwean football has been recognised beyond the pitch, with Sakunda Holdings gifting him a house and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo presenting him with a car in recent years.