Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
WINGERS have been the epitome of Highlanders FC’s offensive play, the DNA that has always delivered results and flair.
Names that come to mind include Peter Ndlovu, brother, the legendary Madinda Ndlovu and Tommy Masuku of the 1970s fame.
As we celebrate Highlanders’ 100 years of existence Sunday News Life looks at some of the wingers that mesmerized defences in the club’s colours.
Men who set stadia alight with their dribbling and lightning pace, creating spaces and sending inch perfect passes for strikers to finish.
Players who were the reason why fans were at the edges of their seats taking on defenders at will and ensuring positive results were ground.
There have been far too many of such at Highlanders and they left a big mark and they are in the team’s folklore.
From Nichodemus Sibanda in the 1950s, Denis Bhejane and Mfakazi in the 1960s to Tommy Masuku and Cavin Duberley, Madinda Ndlovu after Independence, his brother a decade later and Siza Khoza in the early 2000s, Bosso fans have had moments to savour on the terraces.
Zimbabwe and South African football legend, Ebson “Sugar” Muguyo used to say Highlanders and Dynamos are easy to coach. “Just get a good number seven and an equally good 11, your job is done and someone who will be able to head, shoot and shrug off defenders to deal with the goalkeeper.
The wingers will get the fans off their seats and once the cheer drowns the opposition, they can’t stop Highlanders and Dynamos, I will beat all the teams in the country,” Muguyo always said.
He is a fan of the old style football of wingers, midfield creativity and a centre striker who finishes.
Lawrence Phiri whose association with Highlanders agrees that wingers have been the club’s pinnacle.
“So much of our club history has been about effective wingers, pacy and good dribblers, players who could also shoot and create opportunities for others to score. Stars who were the reason why stadia were full to the rafters,” said Phiri last week.
Phiri said his best wingers ever at the club were Peter, Madinda and Tommy.
“These wingers were fast, could dribble on the run, turn inside and shoot, they could provide crosses and appear to be strikers if need arose. I believe they were the best at the club for as far back as I can stretch my memory. I enjoyed playing with Masuku, he was something else on the wing and he played alongside another wing wizard Cavin Duberley, who was also good. But my bet is on the three, they were my best of all-time,” said Phiri an authoritative voice in the club’s history.
Phiri was among the first juniors at Bosso joining at 13 before rising to legendary status.
He played several positions at the club including guarding goalposts.
He said among some of the wingers in the club’s formative years in professional football was Richard Mbence, Kenneth Dzowa, Kainoth Luphahla, Willie Luphahla, Langton ‘Rangi’ Tshuma, Benjamin Mpofu and Barry Daka.
“They were some of the players who played on the wings in our early years before the likes of Isaac Mafaro joined the club. They gave good service too before the younger generation which had Builder Nyaruwata, Doughty Sithole, Madinda Ndlovu to mention a few. We saw so many good combinations and these won the club matches and silverware,” said Phiri.
He said Madinda, Abraham Madondo and Tanny Banda entertained and won the club trophies during their term.
He said Boy Ndlovu too came and added a new dimension as did Peter Ndlovu regarded alongside Bruce Grobbelaar as some of Highlanders’ highest profile former players.
There were also other players like Majuta Mpofu who could drift to the wing and Chris Ncube.
Khoza, Mubariki Chisoni, Mongameli Tshuma, Thamsanqa Vundla, Kelvin Kaindu, Tapera Madzima and Louis Kutinyu.
Sithole appeared a direct replacement for the fiery Masuku and Duberley but left for the US in August of 1980, allowing the club to use Madinda on the wing who did not disappoint, getting a national Under-20m call up at 15 and a senior national team one at 15 years 10 months in 1981.
Today’s formations have destroyed the old wing play of traditional fast wingers and dribblers.
