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It’s a pity that negative news sells, and when there is a juicy running story full of twists and turns, the media will stick to it to its logical conclusion. That is the nature of the game in the media industry.
What started off as any other story in the Midlands, of a team complaining about match officiating and the alleged illegal use of one player, has sparked a chain reaction of events that are likely to leave a lasting impression on our football.
It’s a pity some people will kiss the beautiful game goodbye because of their involvement in shaddy deals, but no one must sympathise with them because we all reap what we planted.
Away from the madness of pirates who want to become rich at the expense of the players, sponsors and fans, two great footballers announced their departure from the grand stage. Highlanders veteran left back Gift Lunga, known as Gift Lunga Junior because there was already another Gift Lunga — that free scoring striker —when he broke into the first team, said he has decided to call it quits, and so did Dynamos workhorse Murape Murape.
Thebe, as Lunga was known as by most Highlanders followers, is certainly one of the most illustrious sons to have played for Highlanders with distinction. He could be used as a defender and a striker and had caps for both junior and senior national teams. He also had a stint at Caps United.
The 35-year-old Thebe said he has seen enough action on the field and wanted to pass on the baton to youngsters after about 14 years of a hearty service. Because he had served the club for over a decade, like a councillor, he was honoured by the fans with the nickname Alderman.
“I have reached the pinnacle of my career on the field. I believe it’s time to move on and let youngsters take over. In football you cannot play forever, my decision was not due to the fact that I cannot do it on the field anymore but rather of age and the need to take the next step in my football career.”
Thebe said there are several players at Highlanders who can take the team to greater heights next year.
“I believe Highlanders will be the team to beat next year. If players that have come through in the second half of the season such as Honest Sibanda, Xolani Ncube and Warren Dube combine well with experienced players such as Gilbert Banda, Eric Mudzingwa and others, I believe Bosso will be on top of their game.”
Lunga, who featured for Highlanders for the better part of his career, said he will approach the club’s executive as he intends to start a coaching career at the club, making it clear that he wants to coach Bosso’s Under 14 side.
“I currently hold a Level One coaching certificate and I want to further my qualifications. In the meantime I would love to be part of the Under-14 juniors’ coaches,” he said.
He feels his career was fruitful despite failing to achieve his dream of playing outside the country. Having won four championships on the trot with Bosso — this has been Thebe’s major highlight of his close to two decades career as a soccer player.
“I wish to thank the Bosso executives, past and present, supporters and my family for all they did for me during my time as a player,” said Lunga with passion.
Thebe, a Bosso juniors product, burst into the first team in 1997 and became an instant hit and was among the Soccer Stars of the Year in his debut season in the Premiership because of his dribbling skills and goal scoring ability. Perhaps his weakness was lack of speed and crude tackles at times, but he was a complete player that any coach wanted in his line-up.
He was part of the strongest Highlanders line-up of the new generation that was captained by Thulani “Biya” Ncube and Dazzy Kapenya, featuring the likes of Zenzo Moyo, Eddie Dube, Eddie Nyika,
Adam Ndlovu, Stewart Murisa, Thabani Masawi, Bekithemba Ndlovu, the late goalkeeper Amon Chimbalanga, Edmore ‘MaMkhwebu’ Sibanda, Noel Kaseke, Alexander Phiri, Melusi ‘Phephisani’ Ndlovu, Melusi Ndebele, Mubakiri Chisoni, Richard Choruma, Johannes Ngodzo, Blessing Gumiso and Charles Chilufya, among others.
While the football fraternity was still digesting and trying to imagine Highlanders without Thebe, workaholic midfielder Murape also dropped a bombshell to Dynamos faithfuls, announcing that he had seen it all in the game. Murape (31) declared on Monday that he was retiring from the game — just a day after Dynamos beat Motor Action to win the Mbada Diamonds Cup to add to the Premier League medal he won a week earlier.
He told the media in Harare that a horrific 1997 knee injury which forced him to walk with a limp will forever remind him of his complete devotion and commitment to his boyhood team, Dynamos.
Little ceremony accompanied his final game in the famous blue and white at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday — a source of regret for Murape who says achievement at Dynamos is often understated, and the club’s heroes are rarely accorded their proper place.
He reached the Champions League final with the club, won three Premier League titles and countless cups from the Independence Trophy, BP League Cup, Madison Trophy, BancABC Sup8r through to the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“I think in terms of playing, I have achieved what I wanted to achieve in football. I have been at Dynamos since 1994, rising from the juniors up to the senior team and playing Champions League football. I thank God for that.”
Murape is happy to quit at the top, and he credits Callisto Pasuwa for turning around Dynamos’ season after arriving at the club and finding them barely hanging onto the coat tails of run-away leaders FC Platinum in August.
Murape, who played with Pasuwa in many successful causes for the country’s most successful club, says the new coach’s secret to winning was one only a true Dynamos legend could unlock. “When Callisto arrived, we were down and we seemed to have lost our way. He changed the youngsters’ mindset and brought back that never say die spirit which Dynamos is known for” Murape told the Herald.
“Callisto is a strict disciplinarian and with him you must serve Dynamos first before you even think of trying to market yourself to South African or European clubs. He knows that Dynamos’ success is built on commitment and that is what I would want to see those who are coming to join the club adopting.”
Murape also had a stint in Swaziland before he came back home and rejoined DeMbare. At the beginning of the season, he caused a scare among Dynamos faithfuls when he was among the Dynamos cream that had crossed the floor to join Twalumba Holdings’ Highfields United, together with goalkeeper Washington Arubi and Benjanim Marere, but he and Arubi were later loaned to the
Harare giants by the Division One club, with Marere opting for FC Platinum.
The football politics has certainly eclipsed the big news of two football stalwarts waving us goodbye, but we say to them: it was good while it lasted and we wish them all the best in their future plans.
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