Tshuma’s Rufaro moment sparks belief at Highlanders

MONGAMELI Tshuma made a statement on Sunday when he cut through the Dynamos defence and finished calmly to give Highlanders a 2-1 lead in a lively Castle Lager Premiership clash at Rufaro Stadium.

The goal, in front of a packed crowd in one of the country’s biggest fixtures placed the spotlight on the 24-year-old, who only recently arrived at Bosso from the lower divisions.

Weeks before the season began, Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari had already spoken about the youngster.

The former Warriors striker liked what he saw in training but resisted the temptation to rush the praise.
“We could be having a gem in Mongameli Tshuma,” said Mwaruwari.
“He appears to be a talented lad. We will see how things go during the season. We must guide him so he reaches his full potential.”

Highlanders have seen promising players arrive before and struggle with the demands that come with wearing the black and white jersey.

Still, Tshuma’s early performances have caught attention.
His numbers show one goal and one assist in two league matches. The assist came the previous weekend when Nigerian striker Benjamin Adeguon converted a penalty against Bulawayo Chiefs.
Sunday’s goal against Dynamos carried weight.

With the match evenly poised, Tshuma found space, slipped past defenders and rounded the goalkeeper before pushing the ball into an empty net.

The moment stirred memories among some Bosso followers of another player who once arrived quietly at Highlanders and went on to become a star.

In 1998, coach Madinda Ndlovu spoke confidently about a young midfielder named Dazzy Kapenya who had joined the club from the lower leagues after being recommended by Cornellius Moyo of the Zifa Southern Region side, Corrugated.

Ndlovu believed the player would go far.
“You will soon be writing about this boy,” he said at the time.
“He will play for the national team.”

Kapenya went on to justify that confidence. He won Soccer Star of the Year, played for Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations and later moved to South Africa where he turned out for Manning Rangers.
His emergence came at a time when Highlanders were rebuilding.

Several established players such as Johannes Tshuma, Gift Lunga (Snr), Amin Soma Phiri, Mercedes Sibanda, Rahman Gumbo and Willard Khumalo were approaching the end of their careers. The club was also facing financial problems and some of its properties risked being auctioned.

Yet the period produced one of the most successful teams in the club’s history.
Admini-strators Roger Muhlwa and the late James Mangwana-Tshuma oversaw a revival that brought league titles in 1998 and 1999. Another followed in 2000 before Eddie May’s side completed a league and cup double in 2001.

Highlanders joined Dynamos as the only teams to win four consecutive league championships.
The present Bosso side is trying to rediscover that level.

Mwaruwari took over a squad that finished last season fighting to avoid relegation. The club has not lifted a major trophy since winning the Chibuku Super Cup in 2019 under Pieter De Jongh and reports earlier this year indicated debts of about US$470 000.

Tshuma arrived from Hwange in the Zifa Southern Region League and his quick impact has shown again that the lower divisions still produce players capable of stepping into the Premiership.

The next challenge is consistency.

Sunday’s goal placed him firmly in the spotlight. What he does next will decide how far the story goes.