Five-A side clubs to remember JB Matiza

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter

FIVE-ASIDE clubs, JB Matiza and Mbizi Sports, are tomorrow set to renew their old rivalry when they clash in a commemorative match, at the Mbare Netball Complex.

The game will be held in remembrance of the late national hero, Joel Biggie Matiza, who was one of the founding fathers of the game, in the country.

The late former Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, was the patron of the Futsal League, and the chief sponsor of the Futsal national team.

He owned JB Matiza and he spearheaded the formation of the league, which culminated in the national team, which played in the World Cup qualifiers in Egypt, in 1996.

And, the stakeholders of the game, who include some of the founder members like Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga and ex-national team coach, Frank Farakeza, have decided to stage a tournament to honour him.

The competition is going to be an annual event.

Some selected clubs, from the high density areas, will also feature in the event.

Farakeza, who has been coordinating the event, said Matiza’s name will remain in the hearts and minds of the game’s stakeholders.

“The late Honourable Joel Biggie Matiza was part of the founding fathers of this game. It was founded by young black entrepreneurs, who include Philip Chiyangwa, Eddie Nyatanga, Leo Mugabe, Cephas Msipa (Jnr), Fabian Tanyanyiwa to name but just a few.

“He sponsored his own team called JB Matiza Five, which became a household name in the country.

‘’He was the main sponsor of the Five-A-Side League and he was also the sponsor of the Futsal national team.

“That team had the likes of Boniface ‘Achimwene’ Kabwe, Alex Chasweka, Godfrey Mukaira, among others.

“He was the main sponsor and was assisted by Lisbon Marufu, who owned a team called Mbizi Sports, which hail from Chitungwiza.

“So these teams will play the special match.

“That league developed a lot of players like Walter Musanhu, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Marlon Jani, Moses Muchenje, Edward Sadomba, Wellington Kamudyariwa, among others.

“I would like to thank the Matiza family for coming up with this whole initiative, especially his wife and children, I really appreciate it.’’ Nyatanga said the game should be revived and tomorrow’s tournament will be the launch pad, for the revival, of the league.