The best of the best from Chitown

Charles Mabika Special Correspondent

THIS week’s selection has, so far, been the toughest yet because I had to combine the three high-density residences of St Mary’s, Seke and Zengeza which all fall under the great town of Chitungwiza and boy, what a torrid time I had before settling for the final XI.

I was really hurt because I had to leave out a host of top quality players who hailed from this rich football nursery which produced mega stars who shone on our playing fields since 1980.

A few examples that could have made it into Chitungwiza’s Finest XI are:  Usman “Huchi” Misi, Forbes Ndaba (Darryn T), Morgan “Mogiza” Nkathazo, Butler “MJ” Masango (CAPS United); Austin “Masebho” Juwayeyi (Fire Batteries); Alois “Shaw” Godzi, Musareka Jenitala (Dynamos); Liberty Masunda (Blackpool); Nedson Muchuchu (Tanganda); Muzondiwa Gonese (Monomotapa).

So, here we go once again:

1. Gift Muzadzi (Goalkeeper): An agile and fine distributor from in-between the goal posts. This guy could have easily become a stand-up comedian if he had not ventured into football because of his theatrical antics on and off the pitch! Excelled for local giants Darryn T, Dynamos and the Warriors and also had stints in the Super Diski. Nicknamed “Umbro” and was an expert penalty saver and is currently an assistant coach at the Glamour Boys.
2. 2. Norman Mapeza (Midfielder): One of the finest ever artists produced in the land. A gangling gladiator who was a kingpin of the middle of the park in both defensive and attacking modes, “Muchina weMajuzi” got much better when he ventured overseas from Darryn T to play in Poland and Turkey where he had a dance with the prestigious Uefa Champions League tournament and once walked away with the man-of-the-match tag against England’s Manchester United (for his Turkish club Galatasaray) at Old Trafford.

A former Warriors skipper who Is currently riding the crest of a wave at FC Platinum as the team’s head coach as they currently sit at the top of the log standings in search of a fourth League title.

3. Edelbert Dinha (Defender): An all-rounder at club and national level who could also play as a defensive or attacking linkman. Nicknamed “Phil Collins” because of his astonishing resemblance to the legendary British rock singer. Always dished out outstanding performances at Darryn T and CAPS United before he went to South Africa where he starred for giants Orlando Pirates where he was a crowd favourite for many seasons. Was a marvel to watch when he roared forward to join the attack from the rear.
4. Alois Bunjira (Forward): A tear-away striker who was a deadly finisher from inside and just outside the box. Is in the CAPS United’s Top 5 Goalscorers of All Time list. Alert and nippy, “Criss-Cross” or “Zola” or “Gazza” would amazingly hit the target on the run as he reveled in beating the finest ‘keepers on the local scene and in South Africa where he continued with his marauding acts at Mamelodi Sundowns. Was part of the historic 2004 Warriors squad that was the first to play at the AFCON finals in Tunisia.
5. Stewart Murisa (Forward): A tricky wing wizard who used to cut his way into the centre with mercurial ease before threading through for his fellow strikers or having a wallop himself.

Some of his finishes were spectacularly struck from acute angles. An ex-Warriors attacker and one of only a few players to feature for the “Big Three” rivals – CAPS United, Dynamos and Highlanders. “Shutto” continued with his explosive raids in the South African top-flight. Now Head Coach at Northern Region Division One side Banket United.

6. Lloyd Chitembwe (Midfielder): Nicknamed “Lodza”, he was a gritty and crunching tackler who took no prisoners because he hated losing and always roared his team-mates on whether it was at his beloved Green Machine or the Warriors sides. Strong in the air, he could easily adjust to become a make-shift central defender when the chips were down. He was also a ferocious free-kick specialist. Probably the only best-known former CAPS United player who has been in and out of their dressing room as coach and led the club to their fifth League title in 2016.
7. Kenneth Jere (Midfielder): A middle-of-the-park operator who earned the nickname “Computer” because of his creative genius and “merry-go-round” dribbling as he slithered upfield.

Arrived as a nonentity at DeMbare from Division One side Smirnoff Tigers and waltzed into the famous blue and white headlights overnight. Blessed with vision and pin-point passing ability, many Dynamos fans still remember and talk about his rare exploits at their club. A former Warriors trialist who could have widened the national’s team’s creative hub if had been a regular.

8. Shingi Kawondera (Forward): A magnetic controller of the ball who would then weave his way past defenders with some intricate ball-juggling and strike the ball with stylish accuracy. Nicknamed “Gonzo” by his former Warriors team-mates because of his eating habits! Flew overseas from Darryn T to flourish in Poland and Greece and whenever he put on a Warriors jersey, the rapturous roars that greeted his every move proved to you that he was the most popular player on the pitch.
9. Callisto Pasuwa (Midfielder): A down-to-earth workhorse who played to instructions and never put a foot wrong for his club Dynamos and the Warriors. Was a formidable shield for his rear guard as he operated the “midfield defensive switch” with gusto.

Upon retirement, he coached his beloved DeMbare where he won a whopping four successive league titles (2011-14) and also took the Warriors to the AFCON finals in 2017. Is currently rated the finest coach in Malawi where he has made his Nyasa Big Bullets the “team to beat” there.

10. Murape Murape (Midfielder): The 2007 Soccer Star of the Year. A bow-legged grafter who earned the nickname “Monya for Hire” at Dynamos because of his resilient approach to any threatening forays into his side’s territory. One of the longest-serving and most loyal cadres to the Dynamos’ cause since its formation and gained immense popularity from the team’s fans because of his belief in the giants’ institutional values. Despite his small frame, was as hard as teak in tussles as well as being a roving, attacking midfielder who scored many memorable goals for Haina Ngozi. Is now one of the coaches at the Spanish giants Real Betis (Zimbabwe) Academy.
11. Ronald Pfumbidzai (Defender): Currently active, “MaRhoo” possesses a cultured left foot that he uses to deliver perfect deliveries for the current Warriors side from the flank where he operates as a left wing back. Moved from Makepekepe to South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtic four season ago. Some observers have earmarked him for the senior national team’s captaincy in the near future. Lavishes joining in the attack (can also dribble his way past opponents) and has scored on some occasions including a marvelous goal direct from a corner kick at the National Sports Stadium a few years back.

Watch out for my Mabvuku Finest X1 since 1980 next week.