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Fungai Muderere
THE story of individuals’ contributions to the local football scene cannot be overlooked and would not be complete without the name of Ali “Baba” Dube.
Having started his junior coaching career as assistant to Mackenzie Sibanda at Highlanders in 1973, Dube was to take over the reins the following year, a move that would see him not looking back.
In the process of his involvement in football, he is credited with producing and nurturing some of the country’s best talent such as the Ndlovu brothers, Madinda, the late Adam and Peter, Willard “Mashinkila” Khumalo, Benjamin Nkonjera and Mercedes “Rambo” Sibanda among a host of other footballers.
Despite all his indefatigable efforts, Dube still feels like his contributions to the local game have not been recognised in this football loving nation.
“Local football people will always want to talk about someone’s contribution when he or she has died. They will never talk about what I did when I’m still alive. When I die, they will come to say the late so and so did this for the local game. The football leaders are only concerned about themselves. They prioritise enriching themselves,” said an unapologetic Dube, a man that nurtured Benjani Mwaruwari, Thulani “Biya” Ncube, Gift Lunga (Jnr), Richard Choruma, Master Masiku, Siza Khoza, Kelvin “Mtshewa” Maseko, Wonder Mpofu, Phephisani Ndebele and the now Bosso first team assistant coach Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu.
The revered Dube further reckoned: “Football politics has now got the better of our administrators. But what makes me happy day in day out is that a number of players whom I nurtured are now based in foreign lands and they help me a lot. Including those that are in Zimbabwe, they render to me so much economic and social support.”
Asked about his best football products, the candid mentor singled out the late duo of Adamski and Rambo and the former’s younger brother, Nsukuzonke.
“These are the boys whom I can say were a cut above the rest,” he said.
One of his numerous products Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu, who is the Highlanders first team assistant coach, conceded that “Baba” was a pillar of Zimbabwean football that deserved better recognition for his positive contributions to the local game.
Immortalising of one’s contributions remains a missing link in Zimbabwean football with individuals of Dube’s calibre in other countries receiving honours such as naming of streets and facilities in their names.
Dube is with Bulawayo City junior structures after coaching stints with other clubs that include the now defunct Railstars.
Online Reporter