adminWith a collection of 26 famed calendars, Siwela has literally turned his Mtapa Barber Shop into an archive of football history and can literally tell who has appeared the most on the calendar.
For Siwela it is a toss between Dynamos legend George Shaya and another legend Joseph Zulu.
But as the country’s football statistics are badly archived, official statistics presented at last year’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer Stars banquet Shaya was said to have nine calendar appearances while Zulu has five.
And yet for Siwela, it is a closer attempt to leave behind a reference point for future football lovers.
“I have not been doing this for myself but out of passion to create a football history for future generations. This is where the history of soccer is for the community.
“For me, I am confident I have the oldest collection of calendars in the Midlands but I cannot say nationally because I have not been to other places.
“From the time I inherited this barber shop from the late George Ndlovu who started the work with great passion in the late 1960s I simply continued from where he left.
“I would struggle to get the calendars and at times I ended up buying the calendars especially in the 1990s but this did not dampen my spirit,” said Siwela.
Now turned a multiple activity centre with hair dressing, dry cleaners’ agent and cellphone repair, the shop is a hive of activity and for 30 minutes I was at the shop, at least about 20 people had walked in with more
than half taking time to throw a glance at the collection. “It all started with an initial three players on the calendar in the early years and these were Adolf Mutuma of Arcadia, Bulawayo Sables’ James Nxumalo and
Simon Machaya of Dynamos then Shaya began his dominance winning on five consecutive years. What could have been his sixth was given to George Rollo.
“Shaya is one of the few together with Gweru United’s Ashton Mhlanga with a 100 percent in penalty conversions in their careers. I still remember the incident with Gibson Homela when he forced a penalty which he later converted for Dynamos to win 1-0 in 1976. “Rollo did not win it out rightly but Shaya literally gave it to Rollo as part of encouraging Rollo. Then we had David Mandigora winning it in 1980 from his throw-in strength. There was one incident he literally scored direct from a throw-in. Probably this is the reason why it is now illegal,” said Siwela.
Mandigora probably had the longest throw in the league.
As part of his appeal, Siwela urged today’s selectors to do away with demands for discipline to be a key factor as often talented players were affected. “For example we had Archieford Chimutanda you could not take
away his prowess on the field. What we are having today is talented and excellent soccer players being left out.
“It is the most disciplined not excelling players that are winning. I have known good players to be indisciplined but this award is called Soccer Star of the year not the Most Disciplined Star,” said Siwela.
Online Reporter