Online Reporter
GROWING up in the 1960s and enjoying his last teen years in the 1980s, Tobias Mudyambanje, was never short on inspiration.
He was too young when the likes of Rex Sheasby, Daniel “Dididi” Ncube, Isaac Chieza, Tendai Chieza, Paul Tsumbe, George Shaya, Ernest Kamba, Posani Sibanda, Gibson Homela, William Sibanda and Josiah Nxumalo were household names.
However, he was able to watch some in the twilight stages of their careers.
In his days with Olympics and Highlanders, Mudyambanje who joined Highlanders in 1986 in the build-up to that year’s Independence Trophy tournament, played as a centre striker and could score with either foot and had cheeky headers that bring many memories to the Bosso faithfuls.
He introduced himself to the grand stage with a winner against Zimbabwe Saints in the 1986 Independence Cup semi-final.
Mudyambanje could not have wished for a better start to his Bosso days than eject Amahlolanyama fans off their seats against perennial city rivals.
With a rivalry dating back to 1931, the two teams’ clashes have remained great derbies, sadly Zimbabwe Saints were demoted to the lower divisions and soccer lovers are being starved of that treat.
Sunday Life had the chance to talk to Mudyambanje this past week over players he believes are his Best XI across several generations.
His choice is probably influenced by the fact that he had the chance to evaluate some as teammates and others as opponents in a career that won him several pieces of silverware and had him rub shoulders with Amin Soma-Phiri, Patrick Ncube, Boyce Malunga, Felix Ntuthu and legendary Tito Paketh.
At Highlanders he teamed up with Madinda Ndlovu, Titus Majola, Willard Khumalo, Mercedes Sibanda, Douglas Mloyi, Richard Ndlovu, Alexander Maseko, Tanny Banda, Soma-Phiri, Thoko Sithole, Nqobizitha Maenzanise, Cephas Sibanda, David Phiri, Soma-Phiri, Fanuel Ncube, Dumisani Ngulube, Peter Nkomo and Dumisani Nyoni for one of the most exciting and talented sides ever assembled on the local scene coached by the late Barry Daka, Cosmas Zulu and with Lawrence Phiri as manager.
They swept all knock-out silverware in 1986 and deservingly for some, they were still there when Bosso won the league in 1990 and 1993.
In coming up with his Best XI Mudyambanje said he had come up with a team whose players had discipline and commitment.
“The team players had discipline and commitment during games. I think most of them liked training,” said Mudyambanje.
His team consists of players who were the mainstay of their respective clubs and national teams, with a number going all the way to be branded real legends of Zimbabwe football.
“It’s a multi-talented team with the best goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders with superb technique, wing links with pace and quality crosses,” said the man teammates nicknamed Flash Dance.
His Eleven
1 Japhet Mparutsa
He was one of the best goalkeepers. As he was short but very athletic and agile, he was nicknamed Short Cat. He was good in the air and on the ground, with good ball distribution. Mparutsa played for Dynamos, Black Rhinos, Darryn T and South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtics and was capped at Under-20, Olympic team level and senior national team.
2 Mercedes “Rambo” Sibanda.
As suggested by his nickname “Rambo” he feared no striker, he was very energetic, good in the air and on the ground. A free-kick specialist, feared by many goalkeepers because of his thunderous shots. Just seeing “Rambo” lining up to take a dead-ball sent shivers down the spines of opponents. He played for Highlanders, Blackpool and had a brief stint in Denmark in 1989.
3 Oliver Kateya
Popularly known as the Flying Saucer because of his speed, few wingers could beat him for pace, and he was renowned for inch-perfect crosses. He was a hard tackler and very disciplined. He joined Dynamos from Metal Box in 1974 where he is believed to have scored 62 goals the previous year.
4 Misheck Chidzambwa
He was then known as Misheck “Scania” Marimo. He was a very tall defender and he used it to his advantage. Her was Dynamos’ mainstay with elder brother Sunday, the Muchongwe brothers Garnett and Eddie, Kateya, Ernest Mutano and Angirai Chapo.
5 Ephraim “Rocky” Chawanda
He was very steady and a hard marker. No striker wanted to be next to him and he was very good in both air and ground. Comfortable with the ball and superb in the air. He was outstanding for Zimbabwe Saints, Orlando Pirates and in Germany. He won the Chibuku Trophy and league title with Chikwata in 1988.
6 Joel “Jubilee” Shambo
The midfield general had good ball control and vision. Great anchorman whose ball distribution was first class. Masterly on the ball and very intelligent, a good dead-ball specialist. Gave great service to Caps United and national team, several times on the calendar.
7 Madinda “Khathazile” Ndlovu
As suggested by his Ndebele nickname, he was a menace to defenders and gave many of them a torrid time with his speed, turns in full flight, shots and great crosses the speedy winger sent to me to score with ease. He was a one-club player, turned out for Under-20s, Olympic team and Warriors, serving all with distinction. Could have played in the English First Division for Sheffield Wednesday but internal politics at Highlanders blocked the move. Won everything with Highlanders offered in his career.
8 Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa
What a player! Am yet to find his match in terms of ball control, in that regard, he was second to none. Was outstanding for Glen Strikers, Caps United, Black Rhinos and national teams.
9 Maronga “The Bomber” Nyangela.
He was a lethal striker with powerful shorts, a real goal-getter who scored many goals in a nearly 15-year-old career that brought him silverware with Black Rhinos. He started at Black Aces in Highfields in 1981 and was still sharp enough in 1994 to appear on the Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year calendar.
10 Tito Paketh
What a gem! He feared no one on the field and was very versatile, could play in defence, midfield and attack, and still deliver. A talented player with skill and few defenders dared to face him because of his dribbling skills, vision and stamina. The former Fatima Mission striker, a Catholic boarding school in Lupane District played for Old Miltonians, Olympics and caught the attention of Germans where he played as a utility player alongside Madinda and Willard Khumalo.
11 Memory Mucherahowa
Playing as a holding midfielder, he was Dynamos’ mainstay and kept the team in the trophy hunt with many committed displays.
The XI
1 Japhet M’parutsa, 2 Mercedes “Rambo” Sibanda, 3 Oliver “Flying Saucer” Kateya, 4 Misheck “Scania” Chidzambwa, 5 Ephraim “Rocky” Chawanda, 6 Joel “Jubilee” Shambo, 7 Madinda “Khathazile” Ndlovu, 8 Stanford “Stix” M’tizwa, 9 Maronga “The Bomber” Nyangela, 10 Tito Paketh, 11 Memory “Gwenzi” Mucherahowa
