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| (Willard Khumalo, Madinda Ndlovu and Mercedes Sibanda) |
This midfield general of immense talent, passion and attitude, ‘Nduna’’ as he was popularly known, had a physical presence, dribbling, passing and vision made him a darling to watch.
Many will remember the stadium roaring ‘Mawiii’ or simply, "Wiiiiiiii" with his every touch of the ball. He intercepted the balls in midfield intelligently, supporting other players off the ball and above all, had the great passing ability over short, medium and long distances.
Nduna’s football was compelling at the club and national level and remained a cog to the teams he played for which included Caps United. Willard was the king pin of the Reinhard Fabisch's Dream Team of the 1990s. He went to ply his trade in Germany as well.
Many young Highlanders FC supporters may not know Lazarus Mwambopo. ‘Lulu’, started running as he came out of the tunnel for warm-up and never stopped. He ran in a particular fashion, his hands kind of hanging loosely from the wrists.
He tirelessly toiled all day. His great vision and weighted passing were a joy to behold. Lulu played for Eagles FC with Victor Moonsamy and Elvis Chiweshe among others. The industry of this man's input in each shift could never be equalled.
Ernest ‘Maphepha’ Sibanda was slim as a paper, hence his nickname. This speedy winger flew making the 'Chew' noise with his mouth as he charged. Sibanda played for Caps United in a distinguished career and later became the team manager of the very successful Bossolona and eventually Chairman. The man had good control of midfield control and imposed his style of play with ease.
Nqobizitha Maenzanise (MHSRIP) is another of the great midfielders of his generation and beyond. As stubborn as a donkey on the road, he marshalled the midfield at will. He had invaluable technique, killing any ball dead in an instant and passing with amazing accuracy with the inside or outside of the foot. His vision left you wondering if he really saw the development prior.
‘Humpty’ tended to have lazy runs with his bow legs and his arrogance got him a few red-cards during his career. He never really celebrated a goal as he just took it as a pass to the net. One cannot remember him losing the ball once it was at his feet and he released it only when he wanted, and very accurately so.
He was a useful player at Zimbabwe Saints, Matebeleland High City and he captained the national team. One thing few people knew about him, was his great humility. I had great pleasure taking him through coaching courses and was always amazed how so humble and willing to learn he was. He worked as a court interpreter.
In the same mould of build and technique was Makheyi Nyathi (MHSRIP). I have never seen a better ball passer. His control of the ball was magnificent. ‘Ninja’ played first team football at a very tender
age. He was very good at anticipating and intelligently intercepting balls timely without a hassle. He was a hard tackler who enjoyed his game.
Makheyi scored some amazing long-range goals regularly. He was such a great magician who made his first team and national squad debuts aged sixteen. This player can be described as a true general of the game and an icon. He suffered knee injuries that cut his career shorter than it should have been.
Another tireless worker and exquisite passer was Aram Tshuma (MHSRIP). He had played a lot of first division football with Red Seal Rovers before joining Bosso. What a revelation he was.
Aram passed the ball early with great quality and silently went about his business in attack and defence. He was a goal scorer of note, especially from distance.
Richard Choruma joined ‘Amahlolanyama’ looking lazy and many fans did not believe that he was going to be a revelation he became. His small frame fooled many opponents. Choruma worked hard in midfield winning balls, developing into one of the finest players.
Choruma played alongside Benjani Mwaruwari at Air Zimbabwe and his move to South Africa was not as successful. The Dabuka Express was an intelligent player with a great engine and a professional every coach dreamed of.
Alexander Phiri was a high calibre player and a scorer of thunderous goals that would make Paul Scholes jealous. Zander always looked to play the ball forward early and accurately and worked extremely hard all the time. His goals will always feature as some of the best seen at Bosso. He played alongside Blessing Gumiso who was a pivotal figure in midfield himself.
Gumiso was a strong anchor-man who worked hard for the team. As a workhorse protecting the defenders, Magumaguma was tireless and very decisive in tackles and man-marking. He was very dependable in one versus one situation and scored some good and important goals. His contribution released other exciting attacking midfielders to venture forward in enterprising fashion.
Siza Khoza was one untouchable swift player. As soon as he was on the run with the ball at his feet he flew off his feet. Nkinko was extravagant sometimes, keepingh the ball with him for too long but when he got his way, it was ever so sweet.
The ball stuck to his feet as if glued. It was his not so generous frame that made him rank last in national team selection. At Caps United, his artistry did not live up to his reputation. Siza ran from midfield to the flanks and also attacked the central positions with great purpose and direction. He was a defender's nightmare. He scored vital goals for the team.
Gift Lunga Jnr operated as a left-winger. His tremendous dribbling ability took many by surprise, including himself I think. ‘Thebe’ had wits to do anything. His flowing movement when in full flight on the left wing, the dread-locked Thebe reminded many of Jay Jay Okocha. He was purely exquisite and sublime. The Bosso faithful will have memories of the great and crucial goals he scored.
Who can forget the late Thuthani Moyo, a player who used both feet to dribble with amazing ability? He knew of his gift and he pushed the limits. He also had a deceptive lazy dribble, which made drilling the ball through opponents’ legs look casual. One could mistakenly think he used his hands to manipulate the ball. That is how clever his feet were.
Mpumelelo 'Era Munna' Dzowa and the late Ronnie 'Jeans' Jowa came across as genuine midfield commanders who people confused for each other because of the surnames which rhymed. Mpume took control of the game with great vision and passing that mesmerised opponents. He later developed to be a key member of the Green Machine, Caps United.
These players were a team that was very talented, having matured earlier from a reserve team of the mid-1980s named 'Liverpool'.
Many will remember high-quality technician, Thoko Sithole, who was nimble-footed. He was a darling to many and proved to be a midfielder of immense talent.
The fluid Benjamin ‘Matambanadzo’ Mpofu came from Kadoma's Eiffel Flats and endeared into the Bosso fans with a workmanlike shift match after match with great incisive runs going forward. He had the courage to carry the ball across the field and into the attacking third.
One not so popular, yet vital midfield of good defensive qualities was Harrison ‘Ayashis' Amateki’ Meki. Ayashis' Amateki was loved by his teammates for his ability to make their jobs on the field easier.
Amin Soma-Phiri was such a lovely character. ‘Khazeni’ had a spirit to move mountains. Like his brother Makwinji, his greatest asset was the head. Amin must have scored more Cup goals than any Bosso player, mostly with his head.
The bow-legged strong man of soccer was a forceful and committed player who disliked losing. The fighting spirit rubbed well into those around him and he always imposed himself on every defence.
The late Titus Majola was simply class and very intelligent. Simply the best. ‘Zii’ was unbelievably flamboyant and knew where to be every time. His strength was the simplicity of play. He made football look very very easy. He played along the charismatic players like Alex Maseko, Fanual Ncube, Douglas Mloyi and Peter Nkomo, among others.
Tito Paketh, a brother to Francis Paketh of Eagles was a talented dribbling wizard with nimble feet. Tito scored amazing goals and mostly from distance. The strong midfielder had great vision and mouth-watering passing ability. He left playing alongside his brother Francis, at Eagles and joined Amahlolanyama. He was a great player who enjoyed his game and all at Tshilamoya enjoyed watching him.
David Phiri brought to the game excellent passing and ball control in the midfield. His strong attitude to the art made him look comfortable and relaxed. His goals were marvellous. Dave proved to be a consistent midfielder with the ability to deliver every time he played.
Many know Andrew Shue as a Hollywood actor of the soapie, Melrose Place. He played football for Highlanders and was a such a genius. He was not fancy at all but did the necessary with simple football.
I remember an unfortunate game in Harare where he gave away a silly goal in a Cup final or something. He felt gutted and found it hard to deal with the mishap.
Another American, Kelly 'Sharp Mafana' Jacobson played further in front as an attacking midfielder and his passing always astounded the supporters. He scored few important goals.
Dowd had the chilling accurate forward passes with the correct weight and direction. It made up for the poor defensive behaviour, which was his weaknesses. He had off days that could annoy fans but played a key role in most of the matches he played that the fans named him Dube.
Lovemore Ncube was a temperamental character who fought too hard and hated to lose. ‘Magents’ was a vital engine room cog who always played a kingpin role. He was a terminator kind of player. The ball winning ability gave the much-needed steel in his game which many took for rough play.
Magents always played hard and took no prisoners with each tackle making a statement. Lovemore went to play successfully for Dynamos, before leaving for overseas.
Rahman Gumbo was an influential midfielder despite him starting a striker at Eagles where he scored goals with the ease of Ian Rush. ‘Rah’ was very clever and consistent as a Number 9 and as a midfielder. Injuries were unjust to him resulting in his retirement. Rush played a pivotable role for the Dream Team and later developed to be a great coach.
In all his first and second level courses that I conducted, he remained humble and inspired his classmates in the courses. He proved to be a winner as he won championships with Bosso, Caps, as well as Malawians and Botswana teams. Many will remember with fondness the great goals he scored against South Africa upon Mzansi's readmission to international football in 1992 and that goal against Goh Mahiaat Emagumeni.
Benjamin Nkonjera was a destroyer in midfield who always was serious. Probably the finest midfielder ever‘Mackanaky’ had good man-marking skills, interception ability of unsurpassed proportions and passing that would rank amongst the best you ever saw.
Benjie was a cog for Bosso and national teams for many years and had a huge impact on successes of the Dream Team. He scored tremendous goals and finished his career at Amazulu after a fruitful stint at FC Kriens of Switzerland.
Mubariki Chisoni was a true version of dynamite comes in small packages' player. ‘Mwamba’ seemed just too slippery for the opposition. He seemed to have it very easy all the time. For a midfielder of his stature, he was a class act who scored beautiful and important goals. He had great ball control and was very courageous.
Methembe Ndlovu played comfortably in defence as he did in midfield. ‘Mayor’, as a holding player was a darling of the BF crowd, intercepting the ball at alarming rates. One would think he attracted the ball to his feet.
He was so dependable and committed in everything he did, becoming one of the best players in 1995 Under 23All-Africa Games in the squad who won silver medals
His ball distribution was one of his strengths.Mayor’s football took him to the United State of America where he attained high coaching qualifications. He became one of the most successful Bosso coaches.
Honour Gombami is one living artisan of football with immense talent. He graduated soon after Johannes'Tshisampama' Ngodzo but they did play together very well. Honour had a silky touch to blow your mind.
Gombami’s vision and passing incredibly opened defence like a hot knife through butter. His work-rate was really an asset to the squad and he dished his stuff week in and week out.
He went on to play professionally in Belgium but injuries dealt with him treacherously and stalled a growing career.
Another fine specimen of a footballer must be Ngodzo himself.Tshisa dribbled as if he was romancing the ball with his feet. He is one footballer you will come across once in a lifetime. He was a gem of a player with a true Midas touch.His enviable technical ability almost made the ball talk.He ran with the ball, dragging it behind him as if it was
glued to his heels and his long range passing.
He dribbled for fun and made all look easy in the field of play. Injuries were unfair to his and he did play for the national team.
Charles Chilufya was hard shooting and generally a workaholic of a Zambian. ‘Chief’ scored memorable goals. He worked for the ball and was quick to go forward.Chilufya came from city rivals, Railstars, who had acquired him from Wankie Football Club. Tthe combination with Choruma was telepathic.
Master Masiku was one of the most under-rated players ever, with a very big engine and love for the game. An easy midfielder to coach with total commitment, he was a good ball winner and scored some amazing but few goals. He was always committed to his game and played a pivotal role at Railstars.His finishing did not compliment his efforts.
His boyhood friend, Kelvin ‘Mtshawa’ Maseko had a better work rate. Mtshawa had long strides and a tremendous engine to run all noon. His passing and shooting were high class.
He did not stay long at Highlanders, moving to be a force to be reckoned with at Railstars F.C.To the so many others who made the Highlanders family feel worthwhile, there can never be enough thank yous.
All the midfield generals intrigued the BarbourfieldsStadium with the intricate and quick passing that electrified the vibrant and chanting faithful at the Soweto, Edgars and Mpankweni stands.They packed powerful shots and scored thunderous goals that won the trophies and championships. They
supplied the sublime through balls to the strikers and thrilled everyone with the dribbles and trickery.
Who was your top Midfield General?
