adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
A LEGEND is a larger than life story that gets passed down from one generation to the other.
In Zimbabwe the word legend has emerged as one of the most abused as even a one day wonder has in some circles been referred to as one.Most of those legends are in fact former footballers or sportspersons of different sports disciplines.
At Bulawayo giants, Highlanders anyone who once donned the black and white jersey is called a Highlanders legend. Is it really fair to real Highlanders legends like Peter Ndlovu, Tymon Mabaleka, Madinda Ndlovu, Willard Khumalo and the late Majuta Mpofu?
Even at Dynamos you get a boy who played for the Harare giants for just a season or a perennial bench warmer being called a legend.
Is the public or media doing any justice to legend status?
People often talk about football legends, but how does a player join this exclusive club? Is it the ability to turn a match with a flash of brilliance or the determination to win at all costs?
Some observers believe legends take football to another level, producing moments of magic which people will never forget. They are talked about for decades like in the case of George Shaya, Paul Tsumbe, the late Peter Nyama, Posani Sibanda, Dusty King Gotora, John Walker and Freddy M’kwesha.
Sometimes a footballer’s greatness extends to the person they are off the pitch too.
Saturday Leisure threw the question to members of the public and some notable sporting figures just to try and understand what a legend is.
Former Dream Team skipper, himself considered a living legend, Ephraim “Rock of Gibraltar” Chawanda first saw the lighter side of the debate saying;
“Eeish, this title is a bit corrupted, I even doubt myself to be a legend.”
However, he said he believes a legend is an individual who stood out above others on the pitch. A star shining brighter and longer than others, he said.
Chawanda distinguished himself at both national and club level at Zimbabwe Saints before playing abroad and becoming the first Zimbabwean player to win the African Champions League.
Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said it was funny that people were somehow failing to separate between a legend and a former player.
“The dictionary is very clear on what a legend is. Personally I take it as someone who would have left a legacy in the football field and that befits that status but merely playing football does not make one a legend, perhaps a former player yes,” said the former Highlanders secretary and chairman.
Football administrator turned politician, Nhlanhla Bahlangene Dube described a former player as any player who turned out for a club including those who were on the pitch for a few seconds if not minutes.
Added Dube, a former Highlanders committee member and secretary;
“A legend is more than a former player, he is part of an epoch and is spoken of in a context within a club’s history or nation. He is a player whose contribution is legendary, a player who can’t be avoided when speaking about the history of the club.
In this context Willard Khumalo is a legend but Mamba Chisoni is not. Joel Shambo is a Caps and national legend but Joel Luphahla is a former player.”
Veteran broadcaster Charles “CNN” Mabika believes there is indeed a difference between a legend and a former player although they both deserve respect.
“Both sets of players did contribute something to our game and we need to give them due respect. All the players would have loved to achieve greatness but not all did even though they tried. I believe a legend must have played at the highest level, left a legacy that even youngsters would want to emulate,” said Mabika.
He said the subject has always been controversial before sharing an incident involving legendary Moses Chunga.
“I remember I once organised a match between musicians and football legends. Moses Chunga came a bit late when the match was already underway and he said to me ‘Charlie, I thought the match was between musicians and legends, but I am only seeing former players and legends’. There really was scene as some of the guys could not take the sobering reality,” said Mabika.
Highlanders’ juniors coach, Dumaza Dube concurred with Ndebele that the dictionary definition of a legend is the best.
“It must be someone who did extra-ordinary things for the country or club. Someone whose exploits, when explained to someone who never saw him, might not believe that it truly happened,” said Dube.
He said Chinese movies are also another way of defining what a legend is and was clear that not everyone who played football, him included can be called a legend.
“That a boy could rise from Makokoba and set the world ablaze like Peter Ndlovu and Bruce Grobbelaar is legendary. There are also village and regional legends,” said Dube whose exploits with Taurayi Mangwiro, Joe Kwangwari and Maxwell Chambarara earned them cult hero status in college sport.
Ordinary soccer fans also threw in their opinions on the subject with a Zimbabwean based in South Africa, Ndabezinhle Macbright Mhlanga saying every footballer now wants to be called a legend.
“That is a good subject you are talking about because every footballer now wants to be called a legend. You need to be extra-ordinary and outstanding to be called a legend. For me, names like Bruce Grobbelaar and Peter Ndlovu come to mind.”
Rodrick Mahwaya said Willard Khumalo, the Ndlovu brothers (Madinda, the late Adam and Peter are some of Bosso’s legends. Dabwitso Nkhoma, Manase Mwanza, Blessing Gumiso, Thabani Masawi, Chenjerai Dube, Vusa Nyoni, Obadiah Tarumbwa are former players.
“A legend is an unforgettable someone, my football legend list would definitely have Moses Chunga, Willard Khumalo, the Ndlovu brothers, George Shaya, Bruce Grobbelaar and so forth,” said Rita Hove.
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Online Reporter