malvernmugadzikwa
Bruce Chikuni
THEY now call him Kante after former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
But just two seasons ago, Tanaka Shandirwa was a virtual unknown in domestic football.
In fact, he was working as a general worker at a local tobacco company, where he did menial work to supplement the family’s income.
The 24-year-old midfielder would use his spare time to play football at CADSHIP Academy.
But he has now grown into a player considered one of the toughest in the Dynamos dressing room, as he is always flexing his athleticism.
Some of his peers view him as arrogant. Shandirwa was raised in Highfield in an area called PWD, a place that was reserved for immigrants.
It is also known for its notoriety and regular Nyau gatherings.
Shandirwa’s mother, Nellia Shonhiwa, thinks her son might still be traumatised by the ordeal suffered by his father, Iven, who was retrenched when he was about to start his Ordinary Level studies.
This forced him to drop out of school for two years.
“‘I am still surprised with how Tanaka has reached where he is now. People used to tell me that he was talented but I never imagined he would play for Dynamos or the Warriors,” she said.
“‘He endured a lot to be the person he is today. At one point, he dropped out of school for nearly two years after his father was retrenched.
“During that tough period, that is when Tanaka’s love for football deepened . . . He would wake up early and what was ironic is that I would see him sitting at the same spot, holding his ball each time I would check on him.
“I am starting to realise it now and I think he has not fully recovered mentally from that pain; that is why he can sometimes be rude.”
The beginning
Shandirwa was later bailed out by a retired police officer — better known as coach Chindoza — who owns CADSHIP Academy in Highfield.
He noticed Shandirwa when he was sitting at his usual spot at Machembere Stadium, which was adjacent to PWD.
“Chindoza came with Tanaka, asking why he was not going to school and we explained everything to him. He was really heartbroken and promised to help him continue with his studies,” said Iven.
“‘He was not also aware that Tanaka could play football and he also requested that, while waiting for schools to reopen, he should join his academy, and we agreed.
“Then a week later, Chindoza told us that our son had what it takes to play in any league and we gave him permission to do everything possible for that to happen.”
The young player’s benefactor paid his school fees and helped him to get a scholarship at Mweya Mutsvene High School in Mutare.
Chindoza also began working with his brother Tapiwa, as he wanted to groom him into a coach.
Shandirwa kept his eyes on the prize during his two-year stay at boarding school. He was voted the best player twice in a row during the annual Willard Katsande Under-18 Tournament.
After completing his Ordinary Level, he, however, started looking for a job, as their condition at home was desperate.
Luckily, he was offered a menial job at a tobacco company, which also asked him to bring five other people.
Among those whom he took with him to his new job was his friend Tinotenda Mutyambizi, who now plays for Green Fuel. He was, however, club hunting at the time.
Simblicio Nyakonda, who worked with Shandirwa at the company, said his work ethic was as remarkable as it was incredible.
“We would take turns sometimes to dodge our supervisors because our job was really onerous, but Shandirwa was also up for any assignment and everyone was always in awe,” said Nyakonda.
“He wore dreadlocks during that time and everyone loved him because he would help us finish our tasks, even after completing his shift . . . When he left, we were all sad.”
After quitting his job, the ambitious young man and his friend Mutyambizi went to try their luck at CAPS United, when Darlington Dodo was still in charge.
The duo, however, could not make the grade after a month-long trial.
There next stop was Black Rhinos, where then-coach Herbert Maruwa was equally unimpressed.
As fate would have it, it was another former police officer, Genesis Mangombe, who, as then-Yadah coach, took on board Shandirwa and his friend on the last day of the transfer season after assessing them for only 30 minutes.
“When Shandirwa and Mutyambizi came to Yadah for trials, I was not sure if they were going to make the cut because it was really late and many players were on standby, but I gave them a chance and before 30 minutes, I took them out and asked for their documents,” Mangombe said.
“‘They had even left them home and they had to make phone calls to get them to me and I was really happy to sign Shandirwa. He is one of my best signings.
“He has the potential to go places and I wish him the best as he continues to grow.”
Mangombe and Shandirwa have since reunited at Dynamos, where the former is coach.
The duo is also part of the Warriors that will be on duty in World Cup qualifiers against both Rwanda and Nigeria. Mangombe is an assistant coach for the national team.
Mutyambizi was later signed by Rodwell Dhlakama at Green Fuel.
According to Chindoza, Shandirwa is now an inspirational figure at his academy, which he is now helping to sponsor.
“Shandirwa was just destined for greatness. His journey was really tough and it cheers me up that he is now playing for the Warriors.
“He has not also forgotten his roots . . . he often visits us, making some donations just to motivate the people who look up to him.
“He does not give up and I think the best is yet to come from him,” added Chindoza, who also groomed Yadah’s Kelvin Ndereki.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter