Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
AFTER an illustrious goalkeeping career spanning more than two decades, two-time Premier Soccer League goalkeeper-of-the-year, as well as soccer star-of-the-year runner-up, Tafadzwa Dube, is now a qualified mechanic, having graduated with an Automotive Engineering National Certificate in Motor Mechanics from Mutare Polytechnic.
Indeed, as renowned author, George Eliot once wrote, it is never too late to be what you might have been!
For Dube, obtaining a mechanics qualification was, not just a choice, but a passion rooted in his upbringing.
“Motor mechanics was not a choice for me, but a passion. I grew up in a family of motor mechanics. My father was a motor mechanic, and my brother is an auto electrician. It runs in the family,” he said.
Dube’s lengthy top-flight career saw the gifted goalkeeper being part of clubs that snatched numerous PSL accolades, including the CBZ PSL championship, Mbada Diamonds Cup, Independence Cup (twice), OK Woza Bhora Cup on two occasions, Bob Super Cup, Chibuku Super Cup, ZIFA Unity Cup, and Nestle Charity Shield.
As an individual, Dube was once crowned the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League soccer star-of-the-year first runner-up in 2009, and on two occasions, in 2009 and 2011, named the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League goalkeeper-of-the-season.
The Young Warriors won the Vodacom COSAFA Under-20 Cup in 2002 with Dube between the sticks.
He was also part of the Warriors team of locally based players that won the COSAFA Castle Cup in 2013, and was part of the squad that won the first Afro-Asian Games in India in 2003.
Even though he is now following his passion for mechanics, Dube, who has returned to Harare after a recent stay in Mutare, remains active in football.
“I am into coaching. I started personalised goalkeeper coaching after retiring and have coached in Division One as well as grassroots. Currently, I am attached to CP Chemicals in Division Two, Harare Province,” he said, urging football players to plan for life after their careers.
“Footballers should build a life after football. Not all of us will stick to football after retiring, and it starts while you are still playing. To achieve this, it requires a lot of discipline, dedication, commitment, and passion,” he said.
Born in Kwekwe on December 19, 1984 at Kwekwe General Hospital, Dube attended primary school at Kwekwe Primary School from 1991 to 1996, before enrolling at Neuso Primary School in Sanyati in 1997.
He underwent secondary education at Kwekwe High School from 1998 to 2001.
During the early stages of his football career, Dube played for Chrome Stars FC and Lancashire Steel FC juniors.
He later graduated from Lancashire juniors to the first team while still in high school.
After starting off at Lancashire Steel FC (first team) from 2001 to 2003, some of the teams Dube played for include Dynamos (2004), Masvingo United (2005-2007), Dynamos (2008), Gunners FC (2009-2010), FC Platinum (2011-2012), CAPS United (2013-2014), Harare City FC (2015-2016), Yadah (2017), Mutare City Rovers (2018), Manica Diamonds (2019), TelOne FC (2020-2021), and Mutare City in Division One, where he doubled as a goalkeepers’ coach (2022-2023).
He also became the goalkeeper coach at Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One Mutare-based Destiny Stars FC last year.
