Lovemore Dube
IMINYELA might be the butt of jokes about having no church, but two of its football sons are giving the suburb something bigger to celebrate — national pride.
Highlander’s midfield magician Mongameli Tshuma and goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya have put the suburb on the football map with their exploits, earning places in the national team currently in Cameroon.
Their success has sparked excitement in Iminyela, with residents celebrating the rise of two players who are also inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps.
Former AmaZulu attacking midfielder Abedi Nyoni, who now coaches Melz Eagles, a junior development project in the suburb, is among those delighted by the progress of the two players.
Nyoni, who became a household name during Delma Lupepe’s AmaZulu days in the early 2000s, said the achievements of Tshuma and Ngwenya were giving local youngsters something positive to aspire to.
Before Nyoni rose to prominence, Iminyela was known for its association with Bulawayo
Wanderers, who were based across Old Khami Road at White City, as well as Iminyela Hall’s boxing stars and tournaments.
The suburb also had a reputation for violent crime, with stabbing incidents making some parts a no-go area for outsiders.
But Nyoni said football was helping change the narrative, with the two players’ performances bringing renewed excitement and hope to the community.
Past generations will remember Victor Moonsammy, a speedy striker known for his cheeky shots, and Robson Muchichwa, who played for Qwaqwa Fairway Stars, later renamed Free State Stars, as some of Iminyela’s football stars.
Tshuma arrived at Highlanders from Hwange at the beginning of the year as a relatively unknown, skinny youngster nicknamed Smolla because of his small frame.
Many doubted whether he would make an impact at Bosso, but he quickly silenced the doubters with impressive performances that earned him national team call-ups and praise from the media and coaches.
Ngwenya, meanwhile, had for years been regarded as another promising Bulawayo goalkeeper, although some questioned his seriousness.
“I am happy because we are trying to revive football in the suburb, the football family grows, it never falls,” said Nyoni, whose Melz Eagles have made a good start to the season.
Nyoni said the community was proud of the two players, adding that their success was also helping efforts to steer young people away from drug and substance abuse.
“The kids now have a safe haven playing for a team from their neighbourhood and have their own role models in Ngwenya and Tshuma,” said Nyoni.
With both players having been central to some of Highlanders’ better results this season, attention has now shifted to whether Iminyela could have two representatives on the Castle Lager Soccer Star
of the Year calendar.
Their performances have certainly given the suburb reason to dream.
