Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
TOWERING Zimbabwe lock Kudakwashe “Goofy” Nyakufaringwa, a standout figure in the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification campaign, is making an impassioned appeal for financial support to unlock the vast, underappreciated rugby talent in Bulawayo.
Now based in Poland, Nyakufaringwa remains deeply connected to his hometown and believes the city holds immense potential for Zimbabwean rugby. However, he warns that without meaningful investment, many gifted players will continue to miss out on the exposure necessary to reach national level.
Speaking to Rugby Wire, Nyakufaringwa was candid in his assessment of the challenges facing Bulawayo’s rugby hopefuls. He pointed to his younger brother, Tawanda “Taks” Takawira, as a prime example of the calibre of players emerging from Bulawayo.
“It goes to funding. We can break it down in 16 billion ways but funding. A lot of boys are not having a lot of opportunities and for them to come from Bulawayo and compete here, with the lack of (funding, it becomes difficult)… We have amazing players out there, but they are just not seeing how lucrative it is to keep on playing rugby. So, you have a lot of boys going out, stopping to play. So, I would credit a whole lot of reach out from the corporates, in Bulawayo and in Harare, and everywhere just to help grow the talent.
“There is a lot of talent in Bulawayo and credit to my little brother, Tawanda Takawira who is the son of the late Arnold Takawira. He is amazing and I am seeing the traction of him breaking (through to the national setup)… It’s harder making the Sables from Bulawayo because you are not as often seen enough. We need a whole lot of views, the media in the new space to also dig deep and be the voice of Bulawayo and help the boys,” said Nyakufaringwa.
Reflecting on his own journey, Nyakufaringwa recalled his debut for the Sables in 2017 against Zambia under coach Cyprian “Super” Mandenge. Nyakufaringwa also shared insights into working under various national team coaches, each of whom shaped his development in unique ways.
“It was amazing making my debut for the Sables (against Zambia), a boy from Bulawayo.
I didn’t even believe I was good enough, people had been writing articles to say ‘give him a chance.’ I was part of the people who said ‘give me a chance,’ until they throw you in the deep and the you say ‘I could have waited another six months before this chance’ but Super had a conversation with me. He said you have nothing to lose, you have nothing to prove, it’s your big day, go out there and do what you have been doing.
“I was having a good local season at that time and it was very competitive, all the way through the country. He threw me in there and I tried to hold my own, it was amazing, the emotions, having to see the fans and family on the sidelines, it was an incredible moment. I will always credit Super for giving me my first opportunity and giving that Bulawayo boy a chance and without him, people wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to see me. He has always been amazing, it’s always amazing to be under Super. Unfortunately I didn’t play so long under him, after that came Brendon Dawson,” he said.
He continued by sharing insights into working under various national team coaches, each of whom shaped his development in unique ways. Dawson, he said, instilled toughness and challenged him to own his space on the field. Peter De Villiers, the former Springbok coach, brought a distinctive style and became a friend beyond the pitch.
Pieter Benade, currently at the helm, offers a more personal approach, blending friendship with leadership, and allowing players to thrive within their own strengths. Nyakufaringwa described Benade as a coach who knows when to switch from camaraderie to focus, and who entrusts players with responsibility and respect.
