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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Highlanders coach Bobby Clark who left Zimbabwe 30 years ago, landed at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo yesterday for a three-week visit.He leads a 30-member University of Notre Dame soccer team that will, during their stay, have friendly matches with Bantu Rovers and possibly Highlanders. Clark will also hold coaching clinics during his visit.
The man known for throwing into the fray arguably the best Highlanders Under-18 juniors popularly known as Liverpool following the retirement of most senior players who included Tymon Mabaleka, Majuta Mpofu, Lawrence Phiri, Josiah Nxumalo and Cosmas Zulu at the end of 1982, was met at the airport by legendary winger Madinda Ndlovu, Peter “Oxo” Nkomo and Methembe Ndlovu.
Left with a responsibility of building a new team, the juniors that Clark promoted and went on to be recognised include Willard Khumalo, the late Mercedes “Rambo” Sibanda, Sydney Zimunya, Nhamo Shambira and Netsai “Super” Moyo. At first the team struggled but as the season progressed they improved, crashing opponents.
“I cannot take all the credit for those years at Highlanders because we got it going well with the help of the other guys. The players that we promoted were good young boys and were fun to work with,” Clark said.
He was pleased to see Madinda who has just won the Botswana Premiership title and Highlanders goalkeepers’ coach Nkomo.
“It feels great to be here in Zimbabwe and I am happy to see Peter here because when I left this place 30 years ago he took me to the airport with Dougy (Douglas Mloyi). Obviously I am happy to see Madinda and Methembe. These were great and terrific players,” said Clark.
Some of the yesteryear players that Clark spoke about are the late Titus “Zi” Majola, Boy Ndlovu, the late Fanuel “Launcher” Ncube and Mabaleka.
About his visit to Zimbabwe, Clark who was with Highlanders in 1983-84 and has been coaching in the United States for 27 years, said he will be on the look-out for talented youngsters.
“At the university we are allowed to go for trips every four years. We started with my home country Scotland (2002), went to Brazil and in our last trip we toured Sweden and Denmark. I always said ‘I love going back to Zimbabwe’ because this place has special memories.
“During my time here I will help with clinics and of course, I will be on the lookout for young talent but it has to be good students. We will play Bantu Rovers and we hope to get a game with Highlanders.”
Grassroots Soccer Zimbabwe director Methembe said they were honoured to have Clark and his team visit Zimbabwe.
“As you are aware, Grassroots Soccer is an international non-governmental organisation that uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire and mobilise communities against the spread of HIV. We are pleased to host University of Notre Dame and it is our hope that their visit will add value to our initiatives of combating the spread of HIV through soccer.
“We are working on getting clearances from Zifa Southern Region and the PSL so that they play friendly matches with Hwange Juniors, Plumtree Chiefs, Bantu Rovers, Highlanders and FC Platinum,” said Methembe.
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