Vusumuzi Dube
OUT in Binga searching for the next generation of Zimbabwean footballers, two ex-players, household names in the football community in their days met and relived memories of their playing days.
Kelvin Mushangazhike who starred for AmaZulu, Dynamos, Fire Batteries and crack South African Premiership side, Kaizer Chiefs was with Aleck Nyoni, the former small Hwange FC midfield enforcer at Siabanga, Binga where they spoke of their days in the national Under-17, 20 and 23 sides.
The duo first met way back in 1997 during an Under-17 camp and their bond has gone strong ever since. They played against various teams in the region during that period and clashed as well in their respective teams’ colours.
“We first met in the Under-17 squad, it was in 1997, Steve Kwashi was the coach. Mablanyo, Lloyd Chigove and Albert ‘Ali’ Dube were the assistant coaches.
“We played against Malawi, Madagascar and we qualified then we went to Botswana where we played against Angola, Ghana and Ethiopia. It was our first time to qualify as Under-17s,” said Mushangazhike.
It was the first time that the national Under-17 side qualified for a continental competition. Nyoni said he had been a friend to Mushangazhike since those days.
“What I can say is Kelvin is a good friend, a good father, we always mingle with Kev, I know when he is there I am protected. We played together in the Cosafa Under-20 tournament in South Africa and that’s when Kelvin went to Kaizer Chiefs, he was the hero. With Kelvin, we were always laughing, he was humorous. We used to socialise outside football,” he said.
Mushangazhike expressed how good their team was at that time as it boasted of some of the finest talents that Zimbabwe has ever produced. He added that Nyoni was a joyful character in camp.
“Our team was strong, it had the likes of Noel Kaseke, Dickson Choto, Tapuwa Kapini, Ephraim Mazarura, Tendai Tanyanyiwa, David Sengu, Honour Gombami, Gilbert Banda, Eddie Mashiri, Tinashe Nengomasha, Method Manjwali, Mkhokheli Dube, Tendai Mwarura and Leonard Tsipa. Aleck was a joyful person, he was from Hwange” he said.
In Binga, the duo was conducting talent identification trials, an initiative started by former Caps United and Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Twine Phiri and Reuben Mataka. This is the second time they were in Binga and on their first visit, they scouted a goalkeeper by the name of Bayethe Mweembe.
Mweembe started school in Harare and is already the darling of the school and TwinMat Academy because of his goalkeeping brilliance.
“We are here for talent identification (in Binga) thanks to Twinmart, boss Twine Phiri and Reuben Mataka. They opened a foundation for talent scouting in the rural areas and in Harare I am the coach (Mushangazhike) and this side (Binga) he (Nyoni) is the chief scout. He is the one assisting with the talent search.
“I see a future star (in Mweembe), a Zimbabwe international goalkeeper. He will definitely make it outside the country because the boy is only 15 years old but he can read the game, he is only doing Form Two. He knows how to play as a goalkeeper. He’s a pure talent, he is going to get far,” said Mushangazhike.
Nyoni said the boy’s goalkeeping was great and was good at commanding his defence. Phiri said he is impressed with the talent levels in Binga. He said they are contemplating opening a centre of excellence in the district.
“There is so much talent here. What I have noted though is the state of pitches that deny the boys the chance to express themselves artistically on the field of play.
“With my colleague Reuben Mataka, we are thinking of setting a school of excellence in football in Binga,” said Phiri.
Online Reporter