Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AT the tail end of 1997, Zimbabwe music standard-bearer Alick Macheso and his close lieutenant Zacharia “Zaka Zaka” Zacharia decided to form their own Sungura outfit, which they would name Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
Before then, they had been key members of one of the best ensembles the country has ever had, the Khiama Boys, fronted by Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zacharia, who is Zaka Zaka’s brother.
The duo was never certain of what awaited them outside the comfort of Khiama Boys.
That they were moving out at a time when this band was riding on the success of yet another scorcher of an album, “Zvirimudzimba”, released that same year, should have been discomforting.
But the pair was determined and Macheso would be the head while rhythmist Zaka Zaka became the poster boy. One year later, Orchestra Mberikwazvo announced their big arrival in showbiz with a six-track album titled “Magariro”.
And the fraternity warmed up to the name Macheso and Zaka Zaka, whose telepathy continues to capture imagination 27 years on.
And the latter has often shared this with his son-in-law Innocent Zambezi to inspire him in his new journey with Premier Soccer League leaders MWOS.
The defender is married to Zaka Zaka’s first-born daughter Lisa.
He is playing the game of his life at newcomers MWOS after deciding against renewing his stay at CAPS United despite being offered the chance to do so early this year. Zambezi was a key part of Makepekepe for two seasons, but just like his father-in-law in 1997, decided to move from his comfort zone.
“Well, you know renowned musician and guitarist Zacharia Zacharia is my father-in-law. We get along very well and when we are both free, we spend a lot of time together.
“He is my adviser-in-chief. He is the one who always tells me about the benefits of staying humble and prioritising hard-work,” said Zambezi.
“You know when I was at TelOne, CAPS United and Harare City, I was not a well-known player. He always told me to keep pushing and take opportunities as they come.
“The chance to join MWOS came and I consulted him as well and he gave me his blessings. I trust his judgment. He is one man who values work and at times, I attend their shows just to observe how he conducts his work. He is my huge inspiration.”
Zambezi has played every minute in MWOS 16 games this season where they have not tasted defeat. He is deployed on the left side of coach Lloyd Mutasa’s three-man defence with captain Tafadzwa Nyabunze playing at the centre, while Valentine Katsande takes the right channel. And Zambezi has proven to be the mainstay, providing cover for the title-aspirants as well as giving them depth upfront.
He has scored two goals this season including his header against former club CAPS United at Ngoni on Thursday, while he has also provided four assists, making him easily the best attacking defender in the league.
But what has changed between the Zambezi who never got a single goal across three of his previous teams – Telone, Harare City and CAPS United inside five seasons and the Zambezi who is flying high at MWOS?
“I think I have found a new purpose especially spiritually,” he added.
“At MWOS, we put God before anything else. That is not to say it was different with my ex-teams. But I was not that committed to serving.
“But after a few days at MWOS where coach Lloyd Mutasa always preaches about the power of faith, I decided to follow him at his church (Johanne Masowe).
“Quite a number of my teammates also did the same. Even those who do not go to this church have decided to serve God elsewhere. So, the team is bound together by the power of faith.
“Then we also put a lot of hard work in training and do a lot of different games that promote teamwork.”
The 28-year-old believes MWOS can go far by fostering what binds the team together saying “Obviously, at some point we will lose a match, sooner or later.
“But what is important is to pick the points in every situation that we can.
“Teamwork and belief drive us and we should maintain those levels.”
MWOS play Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab tomorrow and should they avoid defeat, that means they would have stayed intact against all teams in the league in the opening phase of the marathon.
