adminNoel Munzabwa Sports Correspondent
IT was the Double Petros show which destroyed CAPS United’s Madison Trophy dreams and transformed a duo into football heroes in Kwekwe.
Luke Petros and Petros Sibanda!
On November 28, 1999, they connived to destroy the Green Machine at the National Sports Stadium.
First to strike was Luke, who fired past goalkeeper George Mudiwa, before Mpumelelo Dzowa curled home from a free-kick for the equaliser.
But, right at the end of the contest, Sibanda intercepted a back pass by a CAPS United defender and bent the ball beyond Mudiwa for the winner.
The tie had been settled, and Lancashire Steel were the winners, 2-1 the scoreline.
That Lancashire Steel side had the likes of Albert Mbano, Steven Sande, the late Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo, Moses Mwafulirwa, Sam Mutenheri, George Magariro, Costa Maradzike and Misheck Kwangwari.
Their success story earned them celebrity status in Kwekwe.
“A CAPS United defender tried to be intelligent with a back header to the ‘keeper but I was alert and quick to intercept,’’ Sibanda remembers.
“I looked at the ‘keeper and saw space on his left side before pressing hard with a curler, squeezing the ball beyond George for the goal.
“This is the goal that made us heroes of Kwekwe and from that day, I think, that’s when national team coaches recognised me as a vital inclusion in the national team, where I didn’t disappoint.
“And, the following year I was winning the COSAFA man-of-the-match against Lesotho.’’
Born in Kwekwe, Sibanda, who turned 48 last Friday, played for Midlands Bakery as a 13-year-old.
Online Reporter