Online Reporter
Sukoluhle Mthethwa Sports Correspondent
EIGHTEEN years after women’s soccer legend, Haverson Masilela breathed his last, his former New Orleans players will in December regroup to celebrate his enduring legacy.
Masilela founded New Orleans in the early 1980s as a boys’ junior team in Entumbane.
But it was the formation of the all-conquering New Orleans women’s football that amplified his status and contribution to the game nationally.
New Orleans director Nkanyiso Bhebhe spoke to Sunday Life about the forthcoming event meant to celebrate women’s soccer, New Orleans and the legendary Masilela, a man who literally lived for the game in the last quarter of his life.
“We are planning a get-together for former players. They have agreed because they say it was through women’s soccer that some have reached the levels they are in now. We will invite teams that once played with New Orleans although some are non-existent now,” Bhebhe said.
Expected on the day will be Inline Academy, Mufakose Queens Legends, Highlanders Royals, Maton Queens, North Rovers, Zimbabwe Saints, Hwange Ladies, Manzini Wanderers from Eswatini, Kappa Ladies from South Africa and Township Rollers from Botswana.
Bhebhe spoke on how the team was initially formed.
“New Orleans started off as a boys’ team. In 1993 a girls’ team was formed. The desire was to give the girls an opportunity to play women’s soccer and for New Orleans to grow. After operating as Gugulethu under the sponsorship of Tryphine Nhliziyo, the club returned to being New Orleans again with Masilela as the director and one Baba Dingani assisting,” he said.
The team was under the tutelage of Pardon Nkomo assisted by Lovejoy Mutakiwa.
Honest Mpala, father to former Mighty Warriors striker Precious “Gringo” Mpala also coached the club.
Bhebhe attributed the team’s success to the positive role the parents of players had in supporting the club and its founding director Masilela and now himself.
“All the players’ parents were involved. That really helped us a lot even up to now.”
New Orleans became a household name in women’s soccer thus featuring in tournaments like Johnson & Johnson, Godfrey Moloi tournament in South Africa and played in various tournaments in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
After the passing on of Masilela on 1 August 2008, Bhebhe took it upon himself to preserve the players and Masilela’s legacy.
“I took over as coach/administrator because I wanted to save the club from collapse. It was a big challenge because I was used to assisting the team but now I had to face all the challenges. There were people like Masilela, Nkomo, Mpala and great player who made New Orleans a household name that we and some former stars decided the legacy had to live on. They did so much for women’s soccer and girl child,” he said.
There is no doubt on the impact New Orleans has had on women’s soccer in the country judging by the number of players who excelled and went on to play for the Mighty Warriors.
Former Mighty Warriors coaches Rosemary Mugadza and Sithethelelwe ‘Kwinji 15’ Sibanda, Nomsa ‘Boyz’ Moyo, Precious ‘Gringo’ Mpala and Fungal Nyamutukwa came through New Orleans.
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The side also produced players like Siduduziwe Nkomo, Thenjiwe Dube, the late Nokuthula Moyo, Nodumo Ndlovu, Portia Maguhudza, Faith Siziba, Macrate Nyamukuta, Ruth Banda-Nyandoro and former Mighty Warriors goalkeeper Daisy Mukwena.
Bhebhe said most of the former New Orleans have always remembered where they came from.
“Our former players have cushioned us at times. Three years ago, Mugadza paid for transport to our league games, Kwini 15 paid our affiliation fees, Nomsa ‘Boyz’ Moyo gave us boots while Nyamutukwa was assisting the team by bringing food. We really appreciate all these gestures.”
He said they were assisting because they want the team to continue playing and carry the New Orleans banner to the future.
“Our former players assist us because they do not want New Orleans name to die. We have challenges because like now we have not paid all the affiliation fees. Other clubs end up poaching our players because they will be asking them why they continue playing for a team that makes them walk to matches, no refreshments and no tracksuits. It pains to groom children and then see them walk away. We are appealing for sponsorship so that we continue to perpetuate Masilela’s legacy and give more girls the stage to shine. We still want to groom children that will reach the levels that were reached during the late Masilela’s time as well as Tryphine Nhliziyo and Ivy Sibindi,” he said.
Bhebhe is happy that they are continuing as a conveyor of good talent.
“Some players walk away but there is nothing I can do. However some clubs have approached us formally. Chapungu approached us for Mighty Warriors captain Nobuhle Ncube. Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Harare took Jesca Mudawu our defender who is now playing as a goalkeeper. Our players can shift and play in any position it means we are developing good players.”
The team now trains at New Magwegwe Community Grounds.
At one stage, New Orleans was Bulawayo’s go to club with players coming from both low and high
density suburbs.
Masilela and his wife Yehlaphi used a lot of their personal resources to sponsor the club at its peak 1996-2005.
