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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
This story was published by Sunday News on 18 June 2023. Fast forward, a few years down the line, Msendami is now a sought-after player on the continent and is also a key member of the national soccer team. We republish the story to capture his rise to stardom and revisit how the Highlanders leadership let a gem slip through their fingers.
IN 2018, before turning 18, Highlanders Football Club legend Madinda Ndlovu promoted winger Daniel Msendami to the first team from the juniors, with the dribbling wizard touted as Bosso’s brightest star.
Msendami was elevated into the senior team alongside Andrew Mbeba, Archiford Faira and Vincent Moyo. Mbeba went on to establish himself at right-back in seasons to come and is presently among “senior” players at Bosso.
Moyo, who has since moved to Chicken Inn, joined Bulawayo City where Highlanders had released him and got valuable game time under Philani “Beefy” Ncube and Farai Tawachera.
Faira and Msendami were then loaned out to ZPC Hwange and Vumbachikwe of Gwanda respectively. Faira was recalled by Bosso in March last year (2022) from the electricity power generators, while Msendami was left to develop at Vumbachikwe who competed in Central Region Division One Soccer League.
Little did he know that while some of his colleagues had broken into the Premiership, something big was brewing as Msendami moved to Botswana on a loan deal last year (2022) in August before Jwaneng Galaxy decided to make a permanent deal that was reportedly worth US$12 000.
Less than a year after moving to Botswana, Msendami is a proud Premiership title winner with Jwaneng Galaxy. His star has shone during his debut Botswana Premiership season at Jwaneng Galaxy, being a vital cog in their title win. Msendami, who turned 23 last month had 25 league appearances, making 17 starts and eight introductions from the bench. He scored seven goals and had 11 assists.
“It has been a great season for me and I’m grateful to everyone who supported me. I’m grateful to coach Morena Ramoreboli for trusting me to be part of his squad as well as Jwaneng Galaxy for affording me an opportunity to showcase my talent,” said Msendami.
The Bulawayo, Nkulumane-bred dribbling wizard who did his elementary education at Sigombe Primary School before proceeding to Ihlathi High School, was spotted by Jwaneng Galaxy scouts while on loan at Central Division One side Vumbachikwe has no qualms with being overlooked by Highlanders.
Msendami, brought to Highlanders by youth development coach Dumaza Dube as an Under-15, said seeing his peers Mbeba and Faira play in the senior team kept him motivated.
“Only God is in control of our destiny. Our journeys and battles are different. Of course, there were times when I asked myself why certain players were playing ahead of me yet I thought I was better than them and that kept me going. Besides, getting motivation from seeing my former juniors’ teammates (Mbeba and Faira) in the first team gave me hope that one day I’ll make it into the senior team as well.
Also, seeing some of the players I knew I was better than playing in the Premiership also kept me motivated and that is why when I went to Vumbachikwe I gave it my all knowing that one day I’ll get a break. I now have that opportunity and I’m using it and hopefully, my time at Jwaneng Galaxy is a stepping stone for my career,” said Msendami.
The 23-year-old winger’s debut season at Jwaneng Galaxy has earned him interest from South African clubs who include Supersport United. His coach Ramoreboli, who led South Africa’s Bafana Bafana to Cosafa Cup victory in 2021 rates the former Bosso-90 forward highly.
Ramoreboli, whose first introduction to the football spotlight was when he led Maluti FET College to victory over Orlando Pirates in the 2012/13 Nedbank Cup said Msendami is destined for greatness.
The South African gaffer believes Msendami can surpass the level of Khama Billiat if he maintains discipline and continues to work hard. Renowned juniors’ trainer Dumaza Dube, who is now based in Namibia also ranks Msendami highly and is confident that the lad is destined for greater heights.
“Msendami is pure talent. With the talent he has, he should have been promoted to the first team at 15 to 17 thereabout, with the aim of European markets. I’m happy for him because he moved out of the comfort zone and was never deterred after being overlooked and now he has shown what a talent he is,” Dube said.
Should Msendami decide to shun an opportunity to play Caf Champions League football with Jwaneng Galaxy and move to a bigger league, Highlanders stand to get 30 percent of the transfer fee. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter