Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Writer
WAKING up in the morning, on any given weekend, residents of Barbourfields know too well that there is a football match to be played, before the day ends.
If not for the professional matches of the Premier League, there is definitely some action at the fields. The residents have been accustomed to sights of the world’s most beautiful game’s followers and that is a fact. For starters, here’s a settlement that is host to one of the country’s iconic football cauldrons, Barbourfields Stadium.
Even children who roam the streets of Barbourfields like football, its more like a religion. Being born and bred in Barbourfields means one had to play football. That in part is what got Highlanders’ firebrand defender Andrew Mbeba to be a player.
He was at times a ball boy at Highlanders matches. He would get up and close with stars of his early teens. The 23-year-old player fondly remembers how growing up in that suburb had an impact in his present life. In his childhood, Mbeba’s life was all about football. And, as early in those formative years, he made the decision to try at the Highlanders juniors team. He met Archford Faira and Darlington Mukuli, both who are now also in the senior team at Bosso. Mbeba attests he was inspired to play by watching every match at Barbourfields.
“Having watched as many games at Barbourfields, all I can say is that was what made me discover and grow my talent as l had the privilege to go watch some matches, “ said Mbeba.
He said from there, a desire grew for him to continue pursuing a kick or two in the game.
“The desire to be a soccer player grew, and here l am years later after hard work. l saw myself playing for the biggest team in the country. I really appreciate how long the road has been.”
The Bosso player was not shy to reveal he was pushed to stay in the game by none other than Gift Lunga Junior, who was then the team’s Under-18 coach in 2016.
“Where I am, I would not have been, if it wasn’t for the motivation of Gift Lunga, who all know as Thebe. I give thanks to him. I call him a legend of the game, a legend in our lifetime. I emulate him,” he said.
He spoke well of Madinda Ndlovu.
“Let me say this as loud as I can, that one person who carved the talent in me in 2018, was Madinda Ndlovu. Here is a man whom my story will not be complete if I don’t mention him.”
Turning to his game at the moment, Mbeba said he owed his performances to his teammates. Mbeba is known for being a skilled free-kick taker.
“Being a specialist is not an individual achievement. I credit all what I have done and achieved to my teammates. I’m called a free kick specialist because I train well with other players who make the best out of me.”
As he chronicles his career influences, Mbeba was quick to return to the present time, making his remark on how Highlanders is playing so far in the Castle Lager Premiership.
“Yes, we are in second place now and our points are not that bad. We just need to work extra hard and make sure we win our next games and cover the gap.”
He said violence has no place in football.
“Personally I want to say no to pitch invasion, no matter how bad or hard it is for us on the field of play. I call upon all football fans not to invade pitches so that our football grows and match other standards in Africa.”
Online Reporter