Sam Ncube: An unsung hero in Bulawayo football

“WHAT I have done for Pumula East and East Rovers FC was not for personal glory but a citizen’s call to uplift the community,” these were the words of Sam Ncube the founder of one of the city’s oldest football clubs.

Ncube helped develop many careers and provided employment to dozens of East Rovers players from his community.

Sport in the suburb has revolved around him and he has never hesitated to open his wallet in the quest for the next big talent.

Some of the players he has worked with or helped in the periphery have been success stories with three making history by winning the Sminorff Cup in 1993 with Alberton Callies in South Africa.

Ncube was 23 when East Rovers were founded. He was among the players and had a dual role of secretary.

At times he would even be coach.

Ncube said his age mates found themselves without much to do at the new suburb and football became a common thing for them.

“There was no entertainment at all. We suggested a football club and founded one which is 43 years old this year. I am happy I have been honoured by the community for my contribution. In 2003 I was made Life President of East Rovers, a club that has survived the test of time and is in Division Two,” said Ncube.

Ncube among Bulawayo’s unsung heroes in sport started East Rovers FC with the likes of Charles Moyo, Jerry Sibanda, the likes of Peter Ncube who was Zifa national junior president, Magalela Dube and Cain Dlamini joined later.

“At the foundation stage of the club we started in the Bulawayo Zifa Divisions League with Thesa Phiri also as coach with three of his other brothers in the side. When you come to East Rovers you become a member of the community. We care for each other, the relationship goes beyond football,” said Ncube.

While he played as a goalkeeper at Ratanyane Primary School, Ncube who was born on October 19, 1956 to a South African mother a Zimbabwean dad, said the club was started at his Pumula East home 8723.

Ncube said from the onset East Rovers became a family’s side as a number of siblings turned out for the club.

Among some of the brothers were the Mbewes – Marko, Jabulani and Mtshumayeli, Ngwiras – Mateyu, Ngwira and Masita, Ncubes – Oscar and Hlazo, Dube – Mabutho Hle and Vusa, Khumalo – Themba and Dumisani, Dube – Pijeni and Major, Moyo – Benjie and Trevor, Ndlovu – Clement and Austin and the Moyos – Benjie and Trevor and the Ndiweni siblings Las and Kainos.

Peter Ncube, one of the players to benefit from Ncube spoke highly of his mentor.

“He had a positive impact in our lives. He made us play football, stay away from delinquent activities and was one of our sponsors and created employment for all the players during our time. He assisted residents at large,” said Peter vice-president of the former Affirmative Action Group.

Peter said the list of players to emerge from East Rovers was endless.

He mentioned Melusi Nkiwane who played for Highlanders, Zimbabwe Saints and the Warriors, his younger brother Patrick, Oscar Ncube who played for Triangle, Hwange, Highlanders and won the Smirnoff Cup with Alberton Callies, Jila and James Moyo who turned out for Lancashire Steel, Simbarashe Gate who went on to play for Masvingo United, Kundishora Chakanyuka who played for Motor Action, Rio Moyo who played for Highlanders, Tessa, Pearson and Thomas Phiri who went on to star for Rex, Kenneth Phuti and Sipho Mpopoti who played for Chapungu FC.

Antony Nike, Thabani Kamusoko, Khulekani Moyo and Vusa Sengweni came through East Rovers as well.

“All these benefited from Sam’s assistance. He paid school fees and rentals for many in the club and when he expanded his businesses some became employees around the country,” said Peter of a man who at one stage had depots around the country providing tyres and tubes.

Sam said his club was strict and encouraged players to be disciplined and concentrate on studies so that they would have an independent future from their parents.

So went into business as the dream was to be better always.

“I am happy we have former players in various professional fields overseas and within Africa.

“It is what we always emphasised on. I am proud of my former players,” said Sam who added that a number of those outside the country have come together to plough back to the community by supporting East Rovers FC financially.

“The chase for the next Melusi Nkiwane, Thabani Kamusoko, Oscar Ncube and Rio Moyo is on. We are grateful to our former players for their quest to see us develop talent, keep youngsters occupied for wellness and shaping up of careers,” said Sam.

He trained and attained an England Football Association badge in Harare in 1992 alongside Paul Moyo, Benedict Moyo, Stix Mtizwa, Ian “Fifa Coach” Malombo, Misheck Chidzambwa, John Phiri, Clever Muzuva, Roy Barreto, Barry Daka, David Mandigora, Shaky Tauro, Bekezela Moyo and Henry Mushonga.

In 1996 along with Bulawayo Junior League chairman and Ali Dube, they took an Under-17 side to Scotland for the annual Aberdeen Festival and they had players like Siza Khoza, Danisa Phiri and Pope Moyo.

Sam was secretary of the provincial junior league and a member of the Peter Ndlovu Youth Festival Soccer Tournament where he was the treasurer.

He worked for Buffalo Treads from 1976 to 1980. He then started going around getting tyre casings that he would get retreaded and the sell.

In 1987 he started Bulawayo Tyre Services, a company that gave birth to several franchise shops in almost a dozen centres and cities in Zimbabwe.

In 1993 he opened his own retreading factory after finishing constructing his factory in Westondale, Bulawayo.

Retired from the tyre business Ncube now runs a legal trust that helps with legal representation for the elderly and those that cannot afford lawyers.