Mbwando retraces his footsteps . . . rallies youth to shun drugs, age-cheating

JOURNEY INTO THE PAST . . . George Mbwando (centre) takes time to discuss with Churchill Boys High headmaster Aquanose Mazhunga (left) and his deputy Dorin Shoko during his return to his former school on Monday.

Tawah Munthali-Zimpapers Sports Hub

FORMER Zimbabwe international George Mbwando is back in the country after spending nearly three decades in Germany and has been retracing his footsteps and reconnecting with the places and people who helped shape his football journey.

Mbwando is currently filming a documentary of his colourful career titled The Warrior, which is scheduled to air in December, with the project taking him back to some of the places that played a significant role in his rise as a young footballer to a household name in the game, which saw him play professionally in Germany.

“It is a nice feeling to be going around the country. I have met people and visited places that remind me where I came from. We have been in Bulawayo, where we met my first coach, Maxwell “Malume” Moyo, as well as my good friend Benjani Mwaruwari, who are both in the documentary,” Mbwando said.

The much-travelled Moyo coached Mbwando while he was a schoolboy and playing for ZRP Tomlison when the Harare police outfit played in the Northern Region Division One League.

Mbwando also explained that while the documentary was largely about his football career, it also touches on his life journey.

“The Warrior is not just about my football career. It is about the journey, the people, the challenges, the sacrifices and the lessons I learnt along the way,” added Mbwando.

As part of the journey, Mbwando this week returned to his former school, Churchill Boys High, where he introduced the “Stanley Cup’’, an award that derives its titles from his middle name. The accolade seeks to recognise outstanding talent while also supporting the education of young footballers.

Its winner will, apart from getting silverware and a certificate, also have his school fees paid in full for the following term, as well as securing a full football training kit.

Mbwando is hopeful the award will inspire both sporting excellence and academic development at Churchill.

“The Stanley Cup is my way of giving something back as well as motivating the next generation of players. I wanted an award that would not only recognise the best player but also make a meaningful difference in that young person’s life; hence the decision to help with the school fees in full as well as sporting equipment,” said Mbwando.

Mbwando’s return to Churchill was an emotional experience as it brought back memories of the early days of a career that eventually saw him become one of Zimbabwe’s recognised football exports.

“Coming back to Churchill is very special for me because this is where part of my journey started. I have very fond memories of this place and the people who helped shape me into the person and footballer I became,” he said.

More importantly was the big message Mbwando had for the Churchill learners.

“Please say no to drugs, if someone comes to you and says,” Just try this, have the discipline to say No. Drugs are the biggest menace affecting students. “If my son were to be involved in drug and substance abuse, I would be heartbroken, so please do not break the hearts of your parents by partaking in drugs’’

Mbwando, who played in the then CAF African Cup Winners Cup (now Confederation Cup) with the now-defunct Blackpool in 1995, also took a swipe at age manipulation.

“You must also resist if there is a coach or agent who comes to you and says,” Let’s alter your age in order to market you. Age cheating will not get you anywhere, if you are Under-16, you must compete with Under-16s; do not go down to Under-14 because you will be cheating yourself. “Even if you win a trophy, you will not enjoy knowing that you were involved in age-cheating in order to win your award,’’ added Mbwando. Having spent almost 30 years in Germany, Mbwando’s return has also provided an opportunity to reconnect with the local football community and share lessons from his experiences abroad.

He has also used the time to begin the task that he has been given by ZIFA to identify the next group of national Under-17 players, with his first assignment set for December, when the Young Warriors feature at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Maputo, Mozambique.