adminRay Bande Senior Reporter
THE mere mention of the surname Matondo evokes fond memories of a family that brought into being a galaxy of football geniuses that used to illuminate our football stadia much to the exhilaration of capacity crowds that hardly missed not only league or cup, but even friendly matches, especially at Sakubva Stadium. In fact, the rich history of football in Mutare, which is now on a rough patch owing to dilapidated facilities, among other factors, would not be complete without giving mention to the Matondo family, whose involvement in football can be traced back to the grand daddies of the family.
Sadly, of all the Matondo football icons, today we only have one man actively involved in football, Rutherford, who coaches Central Region Division One side ZPC Inyati.
However, it is the talismanic skills of the late Matondo bothers Cliff and Ian that will linger on in the minds of many who were privileged to watch them in action.
Born in 1967, Cliff died at the tender age of 33 in 2000 after an illustrious football career that somehow could not take him beyond the country’s borders owing to bottlenecks prevalent back then unlike today when average players can easily find themselves in rich foreign leagues.
With his trademark touchline runs, he was comfortable with both legs, hence the ability to play on either wing.
The exceptionally talented forward was clearly the star of the Matondo cast, hence the nickname Evergreen.
Competitive football started at a tender age for Cliff as he soon found himself turning out for Tanganda when the team was in Division Two while he was still in Grade Seven.
His younger brother Ian, a natural midfielder who was later turned into a steady defender, captained the nation’s most successful Under-23 squad from about 1993 to 1995, a star-studded outfit that also included the likes of the legendary Ndlovu brothers Adam and Peter under the tutelage of the late German expatriate Reinhard Fabisch.
Though he never made it to the seniors, Ian’s flirtation with the national teams started at the Under-20 level when his talents were identified by the late former Warriors coach John Rugg.
Rugg, famous for the success of the then popular Midlands football club Rio Tinto, had watched young Ian in action in a Division One season decider pitting Tanganda and Green Buffaloes and Ian laced a fine performance with a winning goal that saw Tanganda being promoted into the top-flight league, known back then as the Super League.
Ian was born in 1968 and passed on two years after his brother had died and just like his Cliff, he started playing competitive football while in Grade Six.
In an interview from his Kwekwe base this week, Rutherford spoke glowingly of the larger-than-life exploits of his elder brothers on the field of play.
“I think what I remember most about the two is that they were in the class of their own, especially Cliff. He was very skilful and he was simply a complete player. I really liked how they were serious about their football. This was shown by the way they took training seriously. They had time to do their own training outside club training sessions.
“The most memorable match that I watched Cliff play was the one pitting Tanganda and Banket United. He was simply awesome on that day. He played exciting football and scored two exceptional goals in their 5-1 demolition of Banket United,” said the duo’s younger brother.
However, the ZPC Inyati coach was quick to lament the failure by Ian and Cliff to handle fame and how they ended up chasing after women, a vice which led to their demise.
‘It would also be unfair for upcoming players if I do not tell them that Cliff and Ian were talented, but their failure to handle fame led to their downfall.
“The boys really wanted girls of different shapes and sizes. This led to a sad ending of their otherwise illustrious football careers. It is against that background that I want to urge upcoming stars to be disciplined and avoid promiscuity,” he said.
Online Reporter