Ferreira legacy lives on

Noel Munzabwa
AS the surviving members of the Ferreira family commemorated eight years on Easter Monday since the demise of former Warriors and Dynamos theatrical coach, Armando, it seems the family bloodline cannot be separated from the game.

His son Armando Nana Ferreira played in Zimbabwe before moving to Mbabane Highlanders in Swaziland when Armandoaï¿½ï¿½s Zimbabwe sojourn was ended abruptly after the Warriors failed to qualify for the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Celeste Ferreira, his daughter, is holding her own in the game as a member of ambitious MTN Premier League of Swaziland bound Matsapha United publicity team afterAï¿½ her playing career ended due to the limited availability of women soccer teams in the country.

For a 21-year-old BCom in Accounting and Finance University of Swaziland student, that passion inspired by the late soccer mentor, started from a mere daughter following her fatheraï¿½ï¿½s job, to a striker where she donned Jersey number 11 before taking to the administration of the game.

aï¿½?My love for football is really because of my father, I feel like itaï¿½ï¿½s the only way I connect with him even up to now. I used to play back in high school, I was a striker, donned the number 11 jersey. I also captained the schools A team for two consecutive years.

aï¿½?The reason why I stopped was because female football in the country isnaï¿½ï¿½t taken seriously and after high school I didnaï¿½ï¿½t have a team to join so I decided to stop. So after high school the only way I could remain involved in football was to get myself involved in the administration side of things.

aï¿½?While at the University of Swaziland, I got nominated to become the chairlady for the Mvasi League 2013/ 14, 2014 /15 champions aï¿½?Bombers FCaï¿½?. I had served the team for two years when they were eventually crowned champions, unfortunately this year the format was changed and we played using group stages, we were knocked out of the quarter-finals,aï¿½? said Celeste.

At the birth of Saul Chaminuka coached MTN National First Division champions designate Matsapha United, Celeste was tasked with coordinating the recruitment of fans especially at the University of Swaziland Kwaluseni Campus situated adjacent to the teamaï¿½ï¿½s village, Madala Lodge.

aï¿½?When the Shongwes (director Sipho Shongwe) had a vision, they knew my love for football as they were part of Mbabane Highlanders aï¿½ï¿½ a team my dad coached and won trophies with, Sifiso approached me, to help out with getting supporters for the team since he knew I could market a brand.

aï¿½?I was appointed as the secretary of the Supporters Co-ordination Committee before eventually getting involved in the Publicity Committee where we generate and oversee the marketing drives under the marketing officer portfolio using our website, Facebook page and Twitter handle,aï¿½? she added.

She said acquiring a Football Administration qualification was her next target after completion of her degree studies.
Also a passionate golfer, Celeste said the passing of Armando devastated the family and today they wish someone, possibly in Zimbabwe could author a memo re-living his soccer career which started in his native country Portugal, then Zimbabwe and later Swaziland.

aï¿½?After his death I was shattered just like the rest of the family members, I quit golf, a sport we used to play together because I felt like I had no one to play with anymore, but I intend on getting back to the sport one sweet day.

aï¿½?As a family we still feel that gap and would so much wish someone especially in Zimbabwe where he had so many friends, could write a memo on his soccer career perhaps that could connect us with him in spirit,aï¿½? said Celeste.

Armando was born on the 3rd of December 1943 in a Portugal city of Pinhel believed to be the worldaï¿½ï¿½s smallest. He was brought to Africa by his parents at the end of the 2nd World War settling in the then Southern Rhodesia now Zimbabwe.

He was to enrol for education at Selbourne Primary School before Prince Edward High School.

His greatest love was football which saw him become Rhodesiaaï¿½ï¿½s youngest player to play in an international match in the late 50s playing for several clubs including Lucitanos a club he turned multi racial, Dynamos and Caps United among others.

His diversified career also saw him work for Carlton Tobacco, Ministry of Water Development, Ministry of Defence, SMA Construction to name but a few. As a football coach at Dynamos he became popular for his stunts which saw DeMbare score each time he went to the toilet.

But how is it possible to forget that, when qualification for the aï¿½ï¿½92 Nations Cup finals seemed certain, with a home win against Congo (Brazzaville) all that was wanted, our coaches aï¿½ï¿½ Ben Kouffie and Armando Ferreira aï¿½ï¿½ made the surprise decision of giving John Sibanda the nod ahead of Peter Fanwell for the key position of aï¿½?keeper?

That was to be a Zimbabwe football loss which became a Swaziland football gain after Armando relocated the family to the mountainous kingdom.

He was to coach the most successful soccer outfit, Mbabane Highlanders where he headlined success with several league titles and cup triumphs, also joined Umbelebele and later Royal Leopard. He also served as Swaziland national team, Sihlangu Semnikati coach.

At his time of death, 16 April 2009, Armando was a director at Inyatsi Construction Company in Mozambique, and was cremated in Swaziland with his ashes later buried in Portugal leaving behind his wife, two sons and Celeste.

Perhaps for Celeste, Matsapha Unitedaï¿½ï¿½s NFD title and a SwaziBank Cup triumph over Young Buffaloes in a fortnight, could reconnect her to her late father and build another football success in the Ferreira family.