Online Reporter
UNTIL the 2000 football season the famed Ndlovu family of Madinda, Eveline, Peter and the late Adam, they had been the only known brothers and sister combination to play for Highlanders and the Warriors.
Madinda’s dance with the Warriors tag began in 1980 when he became the first Highlanders player to be called up to the national Under-20 side. He would alongside Douglas Mloyi and the late Ernest ‘Maphepha’ Sibanda get a call up to the senior national team in March of 1981 though the cap would follow later in the year with the late Tymon Mabaleka having made his debut earlier.
Madinda played for the Olympic team as well.
Adam also played for all the age groups beginning with the Under-20s in 1989, being part of the Egypt All-Africa Games side that finished third in 1991 and a colourful dance with the senior national team during the Dream Team era right through Zimbabwe’s first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Peter seen as a wonderkid as he broke through into the first team in 1989 and living up to his early soccer promise, he was a gem for all three age groups and is celebrated for his loyalty, service and sacrifice for the country with 38 senior national team goals.
But very few know that the Ndlovus had a sister who shone for the pioneering Highlanders Royals from 1988. Eveline was as good at club as she was with the Mighty Warriors of the early 1990s before she packed her bags to try something else in the United Kingdom. She had pace, skill and an eye for goal like her three successful brothers on the field of play.
But year 2000 saw another set come up to the reckoning for both Highlanders and country. While the Khozas, Sithandekile and Sizabantu (Siza) may not have had the numbers, but they also left an everlasting presence at Highlanders.
A stroll through the streets of Bulawayo with either, they are stopped in every corner, greeted with adoration. Such was their impact that even in their Pumula and Tsholotsho neighbourhoods they are cult heroes.
Siza, the brother came through the Bulawayo vibrant junior policy and worked his way up through the national Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 teams to be a vital member of the Highlanders side that won four championships on the trot in 1998/99, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Probably the year to savour is the 2001 season in which with his squad they became the second Highlanders side to win a unique league and cup double, an achievement tasted once before in 1990.
Sithandekile was born in 1980 and spent her formative years in both Tsholotsho and Pumula North.
A daredevil, she played street football with the boys in Pumula North.
“I attended my secondary school education in Tsholotsho and then came to complete my ‘O’ Levels at Pumula High School in Bulawayo. My football journey started when I was young in the streets playing mbeji. At the age of 16 I was taken to Highlanders by my brother Siza who introduced me to the coaches,” said Sithandekile.
At Highlanders Royals she found the likes of Lindiwe Ncube, Elizabeth ‘Pele’ Moyo, Amelia Mpesu, Christine Mpaza and Talent Zulu who were already established players.
“I worked under Siphatho Ncube, Brian Moyo and Clement Chimimba who were the coaches and I had a great chance and I played for the Southern Region select with girls from New Orleans, Railstars and North Rovers in my early years at the club,” said Sithandekile.
Her crowning moment was being selected to the national team in 2000 which was coached by Benedict Moyo.
“I played with the likes of Nomsa Moyo, Fungai Nyamutukwa-Mupfeka, Ruth Banda, Precious Mpala, Sithethelelwe Sibanda, Portia Maguhudze, Rosemary Mugadza, Yesmore Mutera, Ernie Lonje and many others,” said Sithandekile.
Her team was in fierce competition with New Orleans who had knocked them off the perch of being the top side in the region from 1989. In the later half of the 1990s, New Orleans under Haverson Masilela and Pardon ‘Mjita’ Nkomo had become an all-conquering machine.
New Orleans and Highlanders were dominant in the Might Warriors set up providing the bulk of the members alongside Mufakose Queens and St Mary’s before the likes of North Rovers and later to be birthed Inline Academy.
Sithandekile retired in 2008 and started chasing coaching badges in 2009 and holds a Zifa Level Two diploma and CAF C.
She is assisting at Highlanders Royals.
She says having a footballing brother like Siza worked to her advantage.
“He introduced me to football, he would watch me play the game on the streets and he took me to the Royals. He has always been my role model,” said Sithandekile of her brother who coaches the Highlanders juniors.
Unlike some girls who were discouraged by their parents and community from playing football, she says she was lucky in that she received support.
“Both my parents were supportive and I did not face the stigma in the family or even in the community because of Siza being already established,” she said.
However she said while a majority supported the girl child in soccer, there were others who thought the pitch was not for ladies.
“In society people behave differently. Some would say a girl who plays football will not have a child or will turn out to be a lesbian, surprisingly I have a child,” said Sithandekile. Whose daughter is a fourth year university student studying social work.
Sithandekile who played as a central defender, but was played at rightback in the national team, has a passion for Under-15s and believes the 4-4-2 formation makes youngsters grasp concepts quicker.
She says it is not as demanding as the 4-3-3 and of the game today, she says there is more competition than during their time.
“It has sponsors, it’s creating jobs, unlike during our time, we played for the passion and love of the game.”
