From a bricklayer to a Warrior

Langton Nyakwenda

THERE was a time when he had to do all sorts of piece jobs, including making farm bricks and digging wells, to raise money for the upkeep of his pregnant wife and diabetic father.

That was back in 2020 when the coronavirus first struck and financially hamstrung most local football clubs.

It was a difficult time for footballers, some of who even contemplated quitting.
Others such as Cranborne Bullets wing-back Tapiwa “Chidude” Sibanda (pictured) resorted to piece jobs to raise money for their families.

The 23-year-old might now be basking in glory after getting his first call-up for national duty, but the Chitungwiza-bred wing-back is always looking into the rear-view mirror and reminiscing on the difficult period local players went through.

He is one of the five debutants in the 30-man Warriors provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations finals set for Cameroon next month.

He is also one of the 10 local-based players who checked into camp on Thursday.
Training is expected to start today, before Norman Mapeza and his technical team trim the squad to 23 on December 31.

And Sibanda, who was instrumental when the Premiership debutants reached the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final, is eager to impress.

“This is my first Warriors call-up and I am naturally happy. I am actually motivated to try and grab this opportunity,” he told The Sunday Mail Sport.

“This opportunity is Godsent because if I look back in the last two years, I can only see anguish for most of the players because of Covid-19.

“At some point I resorted to moulding bricks to earn a few dollars to look after my wife and father. “At times taitombochera migodhi (we dug wells) for residents in the neighbourhood in exchange for money.
“I have a father who is diabetic and he needs regular medical check-ups.

“If you also have a pregnant wife, I am sure you are also pushed to work extra hard,” revealed Sibanda, whose wife now has a nine-month-old baby.

“Covid-19 affected a lot of clubs, and there was no way we could ask for a salary raise when there was no football.

“So, we had to find alternative sources of income. But I never stopped training hard.

“After doing the ‘piece jobs’, sometimes I would still train at night.

“I sailed through all that because of prayers as well, knowing that God’s time is always the best.

“God has now given me this opportunity and I also want to thank the national team coaches for believing in my talent.”

Sibanda is one of the 11 defenders in the Warriors provisional squad, but he could end up competing with Takudzwa Chimwemwe and Godknows Murwira, the other natural right-backs in the squad.

“It’s not easy getting a call-up for the national team. We have so many good players who can play my position in Zimbabwe.

“It’s also good that I am coming from Cranborne Bullets, who are only playing Premiership football for the first time in their history.

“And I want to thank my club coach, Nesbert Saruchera, for giving me game time.
“I want to thank him for believing in me.

“Yes, I played for Black Rhinos for about two seasons in 2018 and 2019, but I didn’t quite get enough game time like I am having at Bullets.

“Saruchera understands my type of play, he is nurturing me, and that’s why I have been working extra hard.

“I do not want to disappoint him.”

Sibanda played area zone football in Chitungwiza before coach Tendai Chapfika took him to Division Two side Cargo Carriers.

Chitungwiza-based coach Ernest Jamu, who is assistant to Saruchera at Cranborne Bullets, then persuaded the player to join the army side in 2016.

Sibanda played two seasons on loan at Black Rhinos in 2018 and 2019 before returning to Bullets in 2020.

“His call-up is a huge motivational factor on our part as Cranborne Bullets.

“This will push the other boys to work hard.

“If you perform well, you will earn a national team call-up,” said Saruchera.

“Sibanda is a hardworking boy, very focused and sometimes we have to stop him from overworking. He loves doing extra training.

“Cranborne Bullets have good players, and we will not stop producing more quality players.

“I can tell you that we have other players knocking on the Warriors’ door.
“I am naturally happy for Sibanda and we will all support him as a club.

“He is a gifted player, a modern wingback who has the potential to go places.”