Online Reporter
EVERY village or community has its own heroes and legends that it celebrates.
Some may be far from national telescopic review, but within the confines of a defined locality, they are adored and respected more than many’s every day iconic figures.
One such player is Mlamuli Phakathi, an Emakhandeni hero whose legacy took him to Chicken Inn, Tsholotsho FC, Talen Vision and to three Botswana Premiership sides.
Alongside Abraham Mbaiwa, they are the past two decades’ biggest football names from Emakhandeni, a suburb in Bulawayo probably made more popular by the successful Emakhandeni Lawn Tennis Club that was driven by Aaron Mpofu in the early 1990s.
Phakathi was born on 12 June 1986 and attended Josiah Chinamano Primary School in Emakhandeni before proceeding to Entumbane High School, where he completed his O-Level studies. Surprisingly, Phakathi played volleyball at Entumbane High School and football for Bakers Inn, the Chicken Inn development side. He only switched to soccer after his History teacher spotted him in action for the developmental side.
“He saw me in action in a match in which I scored a hat-trick against the team he was manager of, Cosmos, an Entumbane side with the likes of Chicken Inn assistant coach Fortune Ncube, Anorld ‘Majaivana’ Tshuma, Moses Majika, Josphat Sibanda and George Duburo,” said Phakathi.
At Entumbane, former PSL stars Charles Sibanda, Patrick Mpofu and his twin brother Paul were his seniors. It was during these formative years that his love for football began to take shape.
Like many in the suburb, his football journey started with Maunga Football Club, who had juniors and a Division Two side. There was also a social club that brought a lot of legends to Emakhandeni every fortnight who were in clubs such as Isigubhu, Mthala, Invaders, Lions, and Pirates.
“It was at Maunga Juniors where I grasped foundational skills of the game and naturally, I moved on to the Division Two side in my late teenage age years,” said Phakathi.
He shone as an attacking and central defender because he was big and commanding on the field and had skill, teams began to take note. He attracted the attention of Division Two side Marula and did not stay long as Chicken Inn’s Division Two side came calling and gave him a chance.
A Botswana scout saw Phakathi and recommended him to that country’s coaches and he signed up with Tafic Sporting Club. BMC (Botswana Meat Commission) and Boteti were the other teams he played for in that country from 2007.
“This international experience added depth to my game and broadened my exposure to different styles of football,” said Phakathi.
He returned to Zimbabwe in 2011 and joined Zimbabwe Saints under the guidance of coaches Willard Khumalo and Agent Sawu. Khumalo was a long-time admirer of the player and at some stage wanted to take him to Mwana Africa from Division Two football in Bulawayo.
In 2012, he signed with Chicken Inn in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), marking a significant rise in his professional career. After two years with Chicken Inn, Phakathi joined Tsholotsho FC in Division One. He was among the key players who helped the club gain promotion into the Premiership.
A stylish midfielder, whose skills are regularly on display in social soccer league matches, Phakathi moved to Talen Vision in 2016 and helped the club finish among the top teams. He retired in early 2019 and took up a position as club manager, helping the team finish as runners-up to Bulawayo City in a tightly contested race.
In 2023, he became the coach of Division One side Makhandeni Pirates, further cementing his role in football development. Phakathi is actively involved in coaching grassroots football, focusing on developing young talent and contributing to the future of the sport in Zimbabwe.
Phakathi said he was inspired by God and his dad.
“God gave us the talents. Dad supported me, he passed on in 2004.”
Like most boys growing up in the 1990s, Phakathi watched a lot of English Premier Soccer League matches.
“We watched a lot of EPL matches sponsored by Schweppes and Eric Cantona was the main man and David James, I almost became a goalkeeper,” said Phakathi, who looks younger than the 39 years old he is.
Growing up in close proximity to New Lobengula suburb, Siza Dube, who played for Njube Sundowns and Railstars, Highlanders and Turnall and the late Godfrey Muzanenhamo (MHSRIP) were his heroes. Phakathi, who had a short stint with the Highlanders Under-13s, speaks about the inspirational roles curtaining raising for the first team had on him.
He enjoyed watching a generation of Highlanders players, which had the likes of the late Amon Chimbalanga, Dazzy Kapenya, Thabani Masawi and Lovemore “Magents” Ncube.
“I am coaching at grassroots, though I want to go more on the administrative end of football. I had a good time at Zimbabwe Saints playing alongside Abraham Mbaiwa, Beaven Chikaka and Munya Diya, while at Chicken Inn, I played alongside Tendai Ndoro (MHSRIP), Makhosi Ncube, Danny Phiri and Liberty Chirava,” he recalls.
He pays tribute to his Chicken Inn juniors coach Dickson Mbazo: “He is now a friend, Dickson Mbazo played a big role with his firm and harsh character in bringing the best out of me.”
During his days, Phakathi said even at suburb level, they had their own heroes in the Maunga team whom they wanted to emulate.
“Watching the Division Two guys from Maunga, they inspired us to want to play at the highest levels. We called ourselves by names of Maunga and Olivine United players,” said Phakathi.
He now devotes his time to grooming young talent in Emakhandeni and believes in the Bulawayo juniors’ future.
derick.khumalo