Online Reporter
HWANGE, a coal mining town 100km from Victoria Falls and a distant 324km from Bulawayo has produced some great sportspersons in athletics and football.
Certain Zimbabwe Hall of Famers were identified and nurtured in the town where at some stage sport was second to life for many. It was the glue that brought the community together back then when recreation and entertainment facilities were numbered.
Every kid kicked a ball.
All dreamt of being great stars in the game to follow the footprint of yesteryear greats in the game who included But Sibanda, Daniel Rendo, Mwape James Sakala, David Khumalo, Amos Rendo, Austin Ncube, Twyman Ncube, George Phiri, Nyaro Mumba, Posani Sibanda, Masiyiwa Sakala, Rodrick Simwanza, Jimmy Sibanda, Barry Daka who all left a lasting legacy not only in Hwange but in Zimbabwe football.
Tucked on the boundaries of the Hwange National Park lies Makwika Village about 15km from the town’s heartbeat of Lwendulu (Number One) which includes the town centre and low density suburb.
Because it’s further from Number One where things used to happen, the Makwika (Number 3) community had limited stuff to do. The weekly mine bioscope for the whole family, the colliery beerhall which served Tigele, opaque beer brewed at a brewery next to Old Stadium was adult entertainment.
The soccer pitch used for the local league and school matches, was a dream place to take one’s skills to and experiment on a number of tricks.
Every village has its own heroes and legends and many have stood out from Makwika in the field of sport.
It was the stadium at which Rodrick Simwanza, Fred Matomoka, Isaac Phiri, Skeva Phiri, Dick Banda, Chenjerai Dube, Salim Milanzi, Crispen Nyoni, Philemon Nyathi and Friday Mulenga had made a big impression. A big mark that made them fan favourites that fans followed them to Madumabisa to face Raith Rovers, Giant Killers and Zvamaireva, Lwendulu’s Old Stadium to watch Zulu Royals, Rufaro Rovers, Black Aces, Iwisa, Erieta and Wankie Town.
But the ultimate for the Makwika residents was seeing their heroes in Wankie colours with the drumbeating fans alongside Angeke and Percy Mizati (Boy Dotoro).
There was deep division within the small village of Makwika. Seeds sown by rivalry between two teams Brazil and Kabwe Warriors.
Kabwe Warriors had a strong Lozi and Lingala influence drawing supporters from the Copperbelt and South-West Zambia.
For many who followed the Wankie African (Amateur) Football Association First Division, this was the ultimate club football derby. Both being star-studded, forced the brave ones to sneak into Colliery buses or pay for the 15km ride on Wankie Super Express or Wankie Special Express, to watch a fierce battle pitting some of the best players around.
It was even worse in the off-season when those that played in the elite national professional league were all available to play in the inter-village games.
Kabwe were no pushovers. They had cream in their ranks in Posani Sibanda, Sam Mutende, Barton Mwalukuka, Tobias Sibanda, John Nkonde, Steven Chuma, Gideon Nyathi, Liyando Ncube, Chrispen Nyoni, Abiut Phiri, Patson Ncube, Rodrick Simwanza, David Phiri, Jimmy Sibanda and Fred Mwinga all playing for Thathalula as Chipangano were known in the yesteryears of the 1960s and 1970s.
So many years after the collapse of the local league and death of many yesteryear greats, Makwika Village has a flicker of hope to revive memories of past generations. They have the opportunity to football brand Makwika and make football the village’s pride.
Three weeks ago Makwika United were promoted to the Zifa Southern Region League after topping the Matabeleland North Division Two League for Hwange and surrounding areas.
James Simwanza, the son of the legendary former Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year finalist and former Warriors forward Rodrick, says their team is a shared vision of the village celebrating legacies left by players of the past.
“Makwika was a footballing village. Football is all what people lived for when we were born and has been the glue that binds the Hwange community together. As residents we are united and want to give this generation of boys the chance to explore their talents to the next level and keep the legacy of Makwika being the hub of Hwange football going,” said Simwanza.
He is the secretary-general of Makwika United.
“When we chose to revive football in Makwika we looked for a name that could unite all of us and do away with past affiliations to Brazil and Makwika which were dividing the community. We are one community chasing one goal today, a Makwika United to surpass what Brazil and Kabwe achieved. We are all about the preservation of a legacy and creating a new one in an era football has evolved to be a multi-billion industry worldwide. So much has also changed positively here at home with players living well off their sweat on the pitch,” said Simwanza.
But before the celebrations have died down in the village, Simwanza the administrative driver of the project, is a man in denial.
The club has no money despite the excitement around the prospects of playing Division One football.
Unless they get firm commitments Simwanza says they could go back to Division Two.
“We have a fairly young crop of players all eager to reach the sky. We have no sponsor and other means to sustain the project.
“We are praying the Hwange business community can come to our rescue and give these kids a chance to explore their talents.
“The other teams are to the east of Hwange town leaving the community in places such as Makwika to spend to go and watch Megawatt, Hwange and Blackrock on the other side of town,” said Simwanza.
He detailed that the club needs close to US$4 000 for registration with Zifa, US$1 000 for away matches and US$250 as match fees for home matches.
“The boys will need allowances as well as equipment for the campaign. If we do not get suitors, it will be sad not to perpetuate the village’s legacy,” said Simwanza.
Bongani Ndlovu