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Danisa Masuku
“This picture hanging on the wall depicting my former wife and Mercedes “Rambo” Sibanda invokes lighter moments I had with my best friend Rambo on my wedding day back in the day.
“We grew up together here in Mzilikazi and played together for both Highlanders and the Under -20 national team. Due to that he occupied a special spot in my heart and he was the best man at my wedding,” recalls Sydney Zimunya.
The vintage collection on the walls reminds Zimunya of his youthful days with his long time friend when he captained Highlanders Under-19 side when they went to Scotland for Aberdeen City International Football Annual Festival in 1987. The youthful side won that tournament. The late Nqobizitha Maenzanise was the toast of the tournament. Former Chronicle sports editor Shawn Orange wrote of Maenzanise’s immaculate services to the team.
“Star of the tournament was, Nqobizitha Maenzanise, who scooped both the best player and top scorer awards. He scored four goals,” he summed up.
The tournament is dear to his heart. Why? His side made history when they became the first African side to win the title. The Bulawayo side went to Scotland as a last minute replacement for a City select which had failed to raise enough funds to go to the tournament. After starting as underdogs in the 14-national tournament, the Highlanders lads proved their worth by triumphing in all the matches they played to become the first African side to win the tournament since its inauguration in 1981.
Coach Cosmas Tsano Zulu was quoted by Chronicle in 1987 saying: “Before the tournament started we had very little hope of making an impression against the much experienced nations but gradually we gained confidence through the tournament. Some of them even asked us whether the players were going to wear boots or play barefoot but after two games we were undoubtedly the most popular side,” said Zulu.
Highlanders’ success story started when they beat fancied Australian team Melbourne select 1-0, they followed that with an emphatic win over Italy 4-0 and disposed hosts Aberdeenshire 3-0 for the penultimate round. In the semi-final they met Group B runners and defending champions Rosslyn sports of Scotland and thrashed them 3-0.
For the final they needed extra 30 minutes to beat Toronto Jets 2-1 after they had drawn 1-1 during regulation time. Probably due to their high work rate Zimunya says he, together with Rambo and Willard earned the moniker bush workers.
“Now it’s sad because I’m the only surviving member of the bush workers. All the same life goes on,” he said.
He attributed his sublime performances to his former coach Bobby Clarke.
“He spent a year with us at Highlanders in 1983. During those days goalkeepers used to train twice. The first training session solely for us the goal keepers used to be conducted at 3pm, after that we joined the second session at 6pm with the rest of the team. I give much credit to his style of leadership as it played a big role in moulding my career. He had much passion for the goalkeepers. I think it’s due to the fact that he was the former national goal minder for the Scotland national team,” he says.
While he was at the festival Zimunya met the then Scotland national goalkeeper Jim Leighton and says they shared notes on goal keeping tactics and techniques as a result that saw him picking up 15 caps with the Under-20 national team.
That Under-20 squad had seven Highlanders players namely Mercedes Sibanda, Willard Khumalo, Roney Jowa, Mpumelelo Dzowa, Dumisani Nyoni, Dumisani Ngulube and Zimunya.
He was part of the youthful side that shocked every soccer fanatic when they beat hot favourites Malawi in the Cosafa tournament to capture the lucrative cup. He has fond memories of that tournament.
“Willard Khumalo was crowned the Man of the Match after he scored the winning goal and the newspaper headline screamed Conqueror of the Malawian youth squad,” he said.
Back at Highlanders, Rambo was a pillar of strength to him and made him feel at home.
“He always inspired me to give my best, as such I competed for the number one jersey with Peter Nkomo,” he recalls.
After spending a year with the side his mentor Clarke left at the end of 1983 season. Veteran football coach, Barry Daka filled his predecessor’s shoes and proved his worth.
Lawrence Phiri was the manager and Zimunya credits him for his inspirational managerial qualities which helped in motivating the lads in putting their best in the field of play.
He regards 1986 as one of his best years in Highlanders colours. It is the year Highlanders swept all the Cups that they contested for.
“We won several Cups that include Chibuku, Castle, Heroes, Rothmans shield, Independence, BAT Rosebowl, Zifa but we failed to clinch the league title,” he recalls with a smile.
To cap a fine season Zimunya was crowned for being the most disciplined player in that year. But 1987 was a worst year for him in the Premier Soccer League front.
The newspaper screamed with the headline: “Bulawayo giants have suffered a lean season this year . . . so lean in the fact that club fans attacked club officials including club chairman Ndumiso Gumede when the team was travelling back after their defeat by Caps United in the Rothmans Shield Semi-final tournament at Rufaro stadium.”
Many were questioning what had hit the squad which had the class of players who had passed the test the previous year. The class had the following stars — Tobias Mudyambanje, Dumisani “Savimbi” Nyoni, excellent right back and defence marshal Mercedes “Rambo” Sibanda, an explosive right winger Mandinda Ndlovu , Fanuel “launcher” Ncube a left back, Abraham Madondo right winger, link man Titus “Yellow man” Majola, Alexander “ cool ruler” Maseko, Nestai Moyo, Nqobizitha Maenzanise, Tanny Banda, Willard Khumalo, Douglas “British” Mloyi, Cephas Ndlovu, Peter Nkomo and Sydney Zimunya.
He hung boots in 1989.
He says: “I felt it was time up for me and had to quit playing football.”
Glancing at the wedding photograph Zimunya is reminded of his wife Loreen Sibanda whom he divorced due to long distance. After that he married, Simelweyinkosi Mathuthu. He has six children namely Archibald, Lisa, Ashley, Panashe, Munashe and Ruvarashe.
He was born in a family of 11. His late brother Charles Zimunya, a striker turned out for Eagles (Bulawayo Wanderers).
Who influenced him to join Highlanders?
He points at his wedding photograph! “We spent great time together and went to Lobengula Primary School and we had a bond. Due to family influence I started professional football with Zimbabwe Saints Under- 12 and 14.
“After training sessions I used to spend time with Rambo and his cousin Willard Khumalo. Rambo was more like a brother to me, as a result he lured me to join Highlanders Under-16,” he recalls.
When he joined Highlanders the goal minders were Peter “Oxo” Nkomo and Joseph Tembo.
Comments about current Highlanders
He feels there is a leadership crisis at the club.
“There is leadership crisis at Highlanders. During the matches Erol Akbay barks instructions to the players and Amin Soma Phiri and Tsano also do the same. That on its own causes confusion to the players. I think that should be the whole responsibility of the head coach,” he said.
No link between Highlanders juniors and senior team.
He says at the moment there is no link between juniors and senior team.
“One of the assistant coaches should be delegated to monitor the juniors and recommend a promising player to the senior team,” he said. For his pastime he is now involved in athletics.
Online Reporter