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Danisa Masuku
HIGHLANDERS FC Chief Executive Officer Ndumiso Gumede will live to cherish the 1980 Chibuku Trophy Cup final for two things a�� the triumph and the helicopter ride to Rufaro Stadium.
It was his first major cup final as Highlanders chairman, and also the cluba��s first in independent Zimbabwe.
What made the day one to treasure was that it turned out to be his first helicopter ride.
He was with an official of Rio Tinto and the Chibuku Trophy up in Hararea��s skies.
Gumede said back then cup finals were a big event.
Ahead of the 1980 cup final he had been advised to arrive early in Harare for pre-match activities which entailed travelling to the stadium in grand style.
a�?The Cup organisers informed me that I have to arrive in Harare early. It was the three of us, the pilot, a Rio Tinto official and myself. We were flown to the stadium with the intention that we would find the teams warming up but the curtain raiser went into extra-time. We spent about 30 minutes on air waiting for the curtain raisers to finish the game,a�? he said.
He was of mixed feelings as they hovered over Harare trying to kill time gripped by fear of the experience in travelling in a helicopter a few months after the war ended.
Helicopters had been associated with some gruesome scenes of the liberation struggle.
Gumedea��s maiden experience was capped by a fine performance that saw his team a�� Amahlolanyama fire four goals past Rio Tinto with Mark Watsona��sA� hatrick.
Dribbling wizard Majuta Mpofu ran rings around the Rio Tinto defense on the day and also scored.
a�?Our team beat Rio Tinto 4-0 as we lifted the Chibuku Trophy,a�? he said.
He remembers the line up.
a�?That team had the likes of Majuta Mpofu, Tymon Mabaleka, Peter Nkomo and Doughtie Sithole,a�? he said.
Gumede said the club had facilitated over 750 supporters to travel to Harare by bus for the cup final.
Online Reporter