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THIS time around, he did not hit the woodwork!
Unheralded Tsholotsho FC anchorman Butholezwe Ncube, who interestingly has undying passion for carpentry, has scored a first by becoming the cluba��s first export.
B-Metro Sport can reveal that Ncube completed a move to South Africaa��s National First Division side AmaZulu under the guidance of Zimbabwea��s reigning Coach of the Year Joey Antipas.
Ncube was one of the outstanding players for Tsholotsho Football Club as the team put up an admirable show in their maiden season in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League last year. This year, despite his cluba��s poor start to their campaign, he has continued to shine.
a�?Antipas was very much interested in getting the player to an extent that he had to call the powers-that-be at Tsholotsho FC,a�? said an impeccable source.
Contacted for comment Tsholotsho FC chairman Mlamuli Phiri said while he was not at liberty to confirm that Ncube had put pen to paper at Usuthu, the Mzansi club among others were keen on getting his services.
a�?As you know that there has been a change with regards to leadership at our club, there are some things that I can comment on and things that I cannot comment on. However, there is some grain of truth with regards to the fact that some clubs have been keen to get Butholezwea��s signature,a�? said Phiri.
The 24-year-old Ncube went to Magwegwe High School where woodwork was one of his favourite subjects.
He was so serious about carpentry, that he made tables and chairs in his neighbourhood of Magwegwe North where he grew up and still resides, until those who got him into the craft left for South Africa.
The dreadlocked midfielder completed his Ordinary Level studies in 2010, wrote eight subjects but due to financial challenges he was unable to collect his results, something he might plan to do now that his money situation might improve in Mzansi.
Born on 29 April 1992 at Luveve Clinic he did his primary education at Mazwi in Magwegwe North before proceeding to Magwegwe High School. Given lots of encouragement by members of his community who saw his potential, he pursued a football career by turning out for Railstars at Under-15, Highlanders at Under-18 and Besesa, a team that was coached by his mentor at Tsholotsho FC Lizwe Sweswe, at the same age group.
Nicknamed Mayinya after former Railstars striker Thomas Chimenya because he loved dribbling as a junior player, something he has discarded for basic play, Ncube went through the hands of junior coaches such as Ali a�?Babaa�? Dube, Mandla Mpofu at Railstars and Dumaza Dube at Highlanders.
Some of the players who were his teammates at junior level are Kudakwashe Mahachi, Marvellous Nakamba, Knox Mutizwa, Lynoth Chikuhwa and Ayanda Ncube.
In 2011, Ncube joined Tsholotsho FC who were in Division Two then, helped them gain promotion to the Zifa Southern Region Division One in 2012 and eventually into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League the following year. He began his football career as a striker before he switched to a defensive linkman role where he has adjusted well.
Last year, he was voted the Tsholotsho FC Player of the Year at the cluba��s awards ceremony and his exploits did not go unnoticed as three local teams were said to be after his signature but could not move ahead of the 2016 season as he was still contracted to Iziqholo zeZhwane.
Meanwhile, former Premier Soccer League champions Dynamos are reportedly keen on getting the services of Tsholotsho FCa��s hard running Simbarashe Gorogodyo.
Online Reporter