adminFungai Munyoro
HIS talent is unmistakable. He wants to be a winner always. When going for a tackle it is for the ball, the grass and, at times, the man.
Some can mistake him for a basketball star owing to his lanky frame but the footie star, an out and out striker, is a predator in the box.
Off the field of play he is totally a different man. He is soft spoken, a bit shy and one hardly sees his teeth.
His name in Lloyd Katongomara!
Gifted with blistering pace, the slippery Buffaloes striker was born on August 17, 1988 at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Home in the capital.
He is the third born in a family of four and both parents (Norman and Janet Katongomara) are now late.
Lolo, as he is affectionately known, did his primary education at Mhofu Primary and went to Kwayedza High School for his secondary education in Highfield in Harare. He made his first waves as a talented footballer at the age of 13 and played for his school and Bombas Juniors.
“I grew up loving soccer so much and my friend Bruce Muchena used to encourage me a lot though he is no longer into football,’’ he said.
The 26-year-old striker then joined Allstars FC which competes in a social soccer league.
Asked why he did not play for better clubs in Harare, Katongomara said that he never dreamt of playing professional football.
“I just played football for fun and did not take it serious at all and did not give myself much time to train.’’
In 2009 he had to pack his belongings and found himself landing in Chipinge to join the then Joseph ‘‘Shabba’’ Takaringofa-coached side Gaza Gunners, which was still in second Division.
“Shabba is the one who took me to Chipinge and by then I didn’t want to leave Harare, but I had to. I played well and I still remember very well that I scored two goals in my debut and helped the team to be promoted into Division One where it is right now,” he said. After two years with the Chipinge outfit he then made the big break into the domestic Premiership after joining Buffaloes, which was under the tutelage of Shadreck ‘‘Father’’ Mugurasave by then.
“Mugurasave spotted me while turning out for Gunners and brought me to Buffaloes,” he added.
Katongomara is a utility player and it seems he has settled well at the army side where he has been in the starting 11 since he joined Watungwa Watungwa.
His former coach Mugurasave said that the striker has a bright future ahead of him if he continues working hard.
“In the field of play Lolo is very disciplined and I have no doubt he will end up playing for the national team as well as attracting international clubs.”
Like any other player, he has lofty ambitions.
The Chikanga-based striker hopes to play for the Harare Giants Dynamos, the Warriors and internationally his dream is to one day don the English Premiership side Arsenal jersey.
His greatest moment in his career was when they sent Dynamos packing in their own backyard. The Harare giants fell 1-0 to the Mutare army side.
Timothy ‘‘Sicho’’ Masachi, assistant coach at Buffaloes FC, said that Lolo is very disciplined and very quiet.
“Lolo is a well disciplined player.Speed is his greatest strength and he is good at scoring goals. Off the field he is very quiet,’’ he said.
Apart from his love for football, Katongomara is a born-again Christian and he goes to Harvest House International Church in Mutare’s sprawling suburb of Sakubva. The striker is single but refused to shed more light on his love life.
“Sorry the relationship is still in its infancy and all I can say is that I am in a serious relationship and her name starts with an F, that’s all I can say for now.’’
Online Reporter