Chronicle Editor
Yesteryear greats with Lovemore Dube
WHEN the football leaders eventually see the light, one of the key components of that will be recognising that legends and former players exist in the sport’s ecosystem.
The long discussed and overdue Hall of Fame or at least a wall will be dedicated to the history of the game where as part of sports tourism, people will visit to get a glimpse of those that illuminated the scene before like Dusty King, 303 Marume, Jambok, Scholar, Bobby Chalmers, Bruce Mawa, Stix M’tizwa, Joel Shambo, Tito Paketh, Nkulumo Donga, Bernard Zikhali, David Mwanza, Kakoma Kayonga, Itai Chieza, George Shaya, Tymon Mabaleka, David Khumalo, Gibson Homela, Robert Godoka, Joseph Zulu, Madinda Ndlovu, Boy Ndlovu, Peter Ndlovu, David George, Ernest Kamba, Moses Moyo and Shaky Tauro.
The once dormitory town of Chitungwiza, now a city will also have its own to be celebrated.
Who can forget Cone Textiles or Darryn T and the talent that came through which includes Alois Bunjira, Stewart Murisa, Lloyd Chitembwe, Felix Antonio, Fanuel Aribeto and even those that came as senior players Japhet Mparutsa and the dynamic midfield duo of David Mwanza and Ernest Makosa whose work ethic in a 4-2-4 or 4-3-3 formation was second to none neutralizing potent opposition like Tito Paketh, Titus Majola and Willard Khumalo of Highlanders or Saints’ Obey Sova, Stanley Mutasa and Jethro Hunidzarira or Caps’ Joel Shambo and Anthony Kambani and Black Rhinos’ enterprising combustion room of Stix M’tizwa, Langton Mutimba and Hamid Dhana.
Football back then was worth every cent and second spent watching it with talented players who had so much passion for what they did and coaches who were not so technical adept but were good at fielding winning combinations and motivating them to glory. Among the talents to emerge from Chitungwiza is former Lancashire Steel goalkeeper Douglas Pikirai.
He was big and imposing like yesteryear greats who include Musa Muzanenhamo, Mike Mhlanga, Peter Fanuel, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Raphael Phiri, Edmore Sibanda, Energy Murambadoro and Edmore “Zikeeper” Sibanda. Pikirai was born in Chivi District on 29 August 1972.
“I moved to Harare where my father was working when I was young and did my primary school education at Seke 3 from 1981 to 1987. I started my football career when I was in Grade 3 and I joined the school’s second team when I was in Grade 5. I was then promoted to the first team till I finished my primary school education,” said Pikirai who now lives and works in South Africa. Pikirai moved to Seke 4 High School in 1988.
He was to meet some early set-back in his career. While he thought it would be automatic progression in the game, at Seke 4 he was told that he was too short to be the school team goalkeeper.
“I also joined the school team but with my height I didn’t make it to play for the first team because they were looking for height, not talent,” he said.
Undeterred he joined Chitungwiza Juniors Football Club which was playing in the Harare Bona League.
“I joined as an Under-14 but the team had all age-groups up to the Under-18. The following year 1989 I moved to Cone Textiles juniors which was one of the best sponsored teams now as an Under-16,” said Pikirai. In football good talent sharpens one up.
“That’s where I met goalkeeper Gift Muzadzi and we used to share games as we were all good goalkeepers. Our team at Cone Textiles was the best in the league with players the like of Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe, FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza, Alois Bunjira just to mention a few,” said Pikirai.
He found himself playing for the Under-18 team in 1990/91 which renowned coach Wieslaw Grawboski used as the Darryn Textiles reserve team.
“In 1992 I decided to move from Chitungwiza to Kadoma where I joined the newly formed Kadoma Wildcats which was playing in the Second Division. I played at that level for two years, then in 1994 I joined David Whitehead Kadoma in the First Division,” said Pikirai
After impressing Eiffel Flats coaches in 1995 Pikirai joined the Cam and Motor Mine outfit which was playing in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.
Eiffel Flats fans expected him to be just as good as previous goalkeepers of the club Raphael Phiri and Labani Kandi. They were superb in between the goalposts during their time. His first Premiership game was against Lancashire Steel.
It was a baptism of fire. He debuted on their opponents’ first Premiership match and they were mauled 4-1. Despite the loss Eiffel Flats management and neutrals on the terraces were impressed by his performance.
“That game made people take note of Lancashire Steel,” said Pikirai. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Pikirai was on the road again, a move to Lancashire Steel in 1996. “I enjoyed my stay at Lancashire Steel. The year 1996 was my best season as I was awarded the club Player of the Year gong,” said Pikirai who played with good players like Stephen Sande, Petros Sibanda and Simon Chingore. Big and brave in between the goalposts, in 1997 he played almost half of the season before he was injured.
“We were doing goalkeepers’ training and I dislocated my left shoulder which eventually became a permanent injury. I kept on fighting for my position at the club until I saw that the injury was permanent and in 2000 I dropped to the First Division, joining David Muchemwa’s Midlands Cables FC,” said Pikirai.
He wound up his playing career at the age of 30 playing for Mimosa FC who later changed to FC Platinum in 2002.
At Mimosa he was a player/assistant coach and is happy that he was at the foundation stage of now the giants of Zimbabwe football.
Pikirai believes injury cost him a place among the greatest goalkeepers ever in the country.
Online Reporter