Highlanders Tshilamoya; The Great Goalkeepers

(Captain Oxo - He called everyone his boss "My - boss")

Let us go down memory lane for a moment, and remember the temperamental, eccentric, agile, flamboyant, erratic, entertaining and charismatic show-stopping shot-stoppers who played for Highlanders Football Club in the yester years. 

Highlanders produced Bruce Grobbelaar of Liverpool of England, considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world during his playing days. He was in the Bosso team by his 16th birthday. The ‘Jungleman’ had a very successful career at Liverpool in the 1980s, winning everything there was on offer.

Grobbelaar won the UEFA Champions League in the mid-1980s, the first African to do so and remained the pillar and image of the game in England for a long time.

His antics and penalty saving successes were attributed to his charisma and the jelly-leg tricks. He saved many penalties by wobbling his legs and swaying his body and arms as if boneless.

The truth of the matter is that the man was class and a joy to watch. The acrobatics seen in those days were later simulated by goalkeepers like Peter Schmeichel, Jorge Campos, Jose Luis Chilavert and Rene Higuita of the famous donkey of scorpion kick.

Peter Nkomo also made his debut for Bosso at a tender age. ‘Captain Oxo’ was also nicknamed ‘Umangoye’ (Cat) for his claws on the ball. He was a fine handler of the ball, without any fancy tricky but sure and safe pair of hands.

He made history with a trip to a 5-aside World Cup tournament in the Soviet Union in 1980. He was referred to as ‘the one who went to Moscow’. Moscow turned to ‘Oscow’. That degenerated to Oxo, and that process was catalysed by a TV commercial of Captain Oxo.

What stands out for me for this great legend is his humility. He called everyone around him, 'My boss' and became known as such. And with each encounter with him, he took the time to ask how your family was doing and at the end, made sure he sends warm regards to your family as if he knew them personally.

Peter was a courageous goalie. He commanded his defence well, being a fine shot stopper of high quality, with abilities to organise and communicate. Oxo had issues with his footwork although he started playing as an attacker. 

His in-field playing experience helped read the strikers' mind and thwart them effectively. The Goalkeeper of the Year winner and Soccer Star of the Year finalist continued to endear himself in the hearts and souls of Tshilamoya fans.

It is said on some bad days, Peter would be easily beaten by Shaky Tauro and Joel Shambo shots, in fact, the whole Caps United of that era, with Stanley Ndunduma and Stix Mtizwa. In those matches, a shot would fly past into the net without even Oxo moving or looking, and he would lie flat on the ground and his defenders - Douglas Mloyi and Fanuel Ncube would come to him to see if he was injured.

Then he would ask, "Lingenile s'bare?" (Is it a goal?) because the stadium would be too noisy to hear the whistle from the referee. And they would tell him it was a goal. The next question; "Athini amaNdebele?" (What do the Ndebeles say?) They would tell him that the fans are angry. "Bathi, vuka uvimbe amabhola" (They say rise and catch the balls). 

Joseph Tembo was nicknamed ‘Masawa’ (Sour milk delivery man) because he came from Rio Dairiboard FC and was very good with cutting out crosses, probably because of his height. He ranked very high with those who saw a lot of him in the mid-1980s.

This is the only goalkeeper to give Peter Nkomo a good run for his money and could have easily been a national team goal minder if he played longer patiently.

The junior policy produced Sydney Zimunya. ‘Bruno’, as he was affectionately known, had excellent moments and bad days. The unfortunate thing was that these bad moments came on the same day as the good. He had a commanding voice at the back and great organising skills. His team mates really loved him.

Smart ‘My Tshomie’ Moyo is another of the goalkeepers that Bosso had. He was just as dependable. After a breath-taking save, a simple ball would beat him to the disappointment of the fans. He was a loud organiser and believer in himself.

Musawenkosi Masango played well at the beginning of his career and played in the All-Africa games in Egypt in the early 1990s. ‘Rawu’ had good shot stopping abilities, but he was a little quiet for a great goalkeeper, being at the mercy of strikers. Rawu had a reasonably long spell between the poles for Highlanders. He was a Fitter and Turner by profession, having apprenticed at the Railways.

Mthandazo Sithole and Francis Muringayi never cemented their first team places. Mthizozo played few matches and moved to Darryn T where he played a few seasons, while Fra had cameo appearances during the time of a Milton High teacher, Weis, from the United States of America. His career was always in the shadow of his brother Charles, who kept goals for Chapungu United.

Pope Moyo was in a young squad assembled by Madinda while Pernell McKop was an intelligent goalkeeper. He retired early due to a back injury.

Johannes ‘SamaTshu’ Tshuma had many heart-stopping acrobatic antics and great confidence. He was very confident and encouraged all who played with him all the time to be very positive all the time. Joe joined Highlanders from Wankie F.C. after the career-ending injury to Oxo. He endeared himself well with breath-taking saves and ball distribution.

Lucky Siziba was a lanky product of the youth development junior policy. Mayiboka was excellent with crosses but low balls were his Achilles heel. Lucky Siziba played for Amazulu and Railstars in prominent roles that saw those teams gaining promotion from Division One to the Premier League.

The revered Ananias Dube is one of the Bosso keepers we had. Dube was a member of the popular team that won the team’s first Chibuku Trophy at Rufaro Stadium when a convoy of Phelandaba Bus Service ferried the first recorded road-show to Harare in 1973. Remember the song, 'Ngubani owayekhona?'.

Many still regard him as the best ever because of his agility and reflexes. He was short, agile and very brave. His legendary status was soiled by his migration to Olympics during the rebellious split.

Robert Donga was very temperamental, as they said he was a short fuse, but organised his defenders very well. To recognise his excellence between the posts, he was called on to represent Rhodesia and Bulawayo select teams.

There was Mandla, referred to by many as ‘Stiletto’. This man was incredibly agile given his physical challenge on one leg, diving well on both sides.

Amon Chimbalanga was a very serious goalie who hated to lose. He was a complete goalkeeper whose footwork may have been a little better and many referred to him as ‘Bululu’, (Puff Adder) for his cheeky antics against his own defenders.

It is claimed that the love of money compromised his integrity and became a tool of external forces to penetrate the Bosso community to influence the outcome of matches. This vulnerability to these agents tainted the great career and he should have been a regular national goalkeeper.

Tapuwa Kapini was eccentric and charismatic. ‘Campos’ had confidence and excellent technique. He went on to represent the country more than any other Bosso goalkeeper did. He liked playing as an inside player and had tricks of Grobbelaar.

Edmore Sibanda had the confidence to walk on water. ‘Mamkhwebu’ had unrivaled antics in goals. Fans would have their hearts in their mouths and yet he kept goals secure. He had fine reflexes which atoned for the crazy and heart-stopping moments.

He ranks amongst the best of the goalkeepers ever along with Brito Gwere and young Luckson Mutanga. Gwere played key roles in the years before Kapini rose to prominence and acquitted himself well, being simple and unstylish but very dependable goalie.

Lawrence Phiri played in goals on many occasions when the regular goalkeepers failed to turn up for the matches. He never got a chance to claim the jersey permanently. All will know that he gained his club legendary status as a utility out field player known as Lofty.

George Moyo, like Smart Moyo, had careers cut short by the liberation war and on their return, they found Oxo solid and established as the main team stalwart in his lengthy service to the club. His contribution could easily be forgotten due to the short spell with Bosso.

Kingston Phiri and CB Mahlangu, like Masango, Muringayi, Smart, and Sydney lived in the shadow of Captain Oxo and their careers as Highlanders' legends never took off.

Enerst Ncube Mgwegwe was a complete goalkeeper to many who saw him and had the promise and potential but he did not blossom to be a great goalie he could have been.
He 'disappeared' from the football scene.

There was also Prosper Masuku, tall and intimidating. He was a promising prospect. Malvern Moyo was also a promising goalie who never lived up to his potential.

When Madinda Ndlovu built the mid-1990s Thulani Ncube captained squad, he used Pope Moyo, who grew with each game but never convinced the fans to be the number one. Pope repaid the club with loyalty although under pressure each week to perform.

Lackson Mutanga also matured to play for the club and could have grown to be a super keeper as he played in junior national teams. 

There was also Chenjerai Dube, a strong goalkeeper considered for national teams, having excelled in Hwange. That move from the Coal Miners proved fatal as Kapini was at his prime. He never had much chance to shine.

Njabulo Nyoni came too late into his career and played his part. Ariel Sibanda is also an agiler and intelligent keeper, a little too quiet to command his defence but still has potential to play for the national team regularly.

Ater all is said and done, they all bring some memory in one form or another. Some make you smile while others made you mad and angry. Most of them had weaknesses and their excuses were always that they saw two many balls coming their way. 

Angry defenders would always shout at them, "Bamba wonke wena ....(huge insult)" (Catch both balls, you ......).

They were one of a kind.

Remember Peter Ndlovu ads? Happy days are coming again

I think I will try and get one commercial video here and hope that Pepsi will pay me good money for it. I bet a few saw what I'm talking about. Briefly, an adolescent boy approaches a vending machine, slotting coins for the last can. A beautiful lady charms the young boy, takes away the Pepsi can, gives a free kiss on the lips and walks away. The boy, short of fainting by being love/lust-stoned froze and probably stalked the lady, because, some time later, the boy knew where to find the irresistible lady, this time with a HUGE bottle of Pepsi. It would have been nice if it was a Coke. Anyway, it does not show what he got for that one.

Pepsi have since made bad adverts in my view, like the one with Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba and the like. One gets the idea but I am not sure about the impact. I am not expect in that but I would not be compelled to the product based on the idea. Maybe in a mob, as the setting is concert/live event like.

Messi has his participation on yet another bad one; the Lays commercial. It seems a little lame but I guess I am not sure what a commercial looks like and how people react to them. In more ways than one, the need for interaction with the music, action and involvement makes me appreciate the products, much more like the Sumsang ad.

On that one, you will agree that the first football player looks like a football player, but not good. s the whole thing unfolds, the Sumsang products in Drogba, John Mikel Obi and Michael Essien look the real deal, the ultimate pros. I own nothing Sumsang but it would be good to have one, just because I am chuffed by the ad.

Peter Ndlovu had just blossomed at the English Premier League side, Coventry, when he sponsored a youth football tournament, which he ran alongside manufacturers of bath soap brand, Lifebuoy. He appears half-naked in a shower telling his story, bathing with Lifebuoy soap and actual says 'Lifebouy is my soap'.

During my playing days, Mandla Balanda and Benjamin Nkonjera were the choir masters during training warm-ups with the popular commercial song, from the ad depicting a boarding school dining room. The boys were fed up by the porridge and went on a 'strike' tapping the tables with spoons, forks and knife singing, ' We want Butter-Cup in our porridge, we want Butter Cup bread spread to, we want Butter Cup in our sandwiches, we want Butter Cup as a rule'. Now you should remember the end, 'When it really matters, Butter Cuuuuuup, margariiiiiiine!'.

It was in the days of that Bruce Grobelaar appearing over a cliff with some fish on one hand and a fishing line on the other, saying something that was inaudible. To make it worthwhile, as boys, and I think you did too, we put words into his mouth and it was in vernacular and translated it was; 'Hi, I am Bruce Grobelaar, I am selling fresh fish. Peter Ndlovu is coming with dry ones.' I cannot even remember what the ad was all about or for who it was. You see how things relate and stick.

One coming as an 'aside' on note, was the milling company ad for mealie-meal brand. My children like to say after it on every appearance, especially the part that said, 'e-bone roller mealie, umabambi thumbu'. Blue Ribbon could have done better but anyway.

With that in mind, it was an era representing some of the best footballing days of our generation, probably our time. Many will associate them with the beginning of the Dream Team. While it is still early days to say, those days could be coming again. I am not sure what memories you hold and it could be soon that  you relive the days.

They never walked alone

Sometimes one gets lost in thoughts when memories of the great side of Steve Machon, John Aldridge, Craig Johnson, Peter Beardsley, John Barnes and Bruce Grobelaar to name but a few. Those were the glory days of Liverpool, a team that won everything willy-nilly.

It was not that there were no rivals. Manchester United had legendary characters like Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Gary Lieneker and Paul Parker in their ranks. Kenny Daglish had seen better days but still influential by his presence.

The Reds were top of the cream. They played well and won clean. It was a flawless display on a regular basis, which saw flashes of class from the likes of Stan Colymore who scored amazing goals and young Steve Macmanaman with his pace, mesmerising runs and dribbles.

Ian Rush was an amazing goal machine. It did not matter whether the ball was in the air or on the ground. That man was just amazing. He had masses of top drawer goals for a regular scorer of that quality.

Generations of players came and went as the dominance of The Reds went to the Red Devils. In the absence of proper dominance after waltzing past everyone by Manchester United, it seems Liverpool are back to take their rightful place. There were moments we thought Chelsea will end the United decade of dominance while under Jose Mourinho. The bubble quickly burst.

As for Arsenal, they have always been nearly men since. They threatened here and there during the days of Overmass, Emmanuel Petit, David Berkamp, Tony Adams and David Seamens. During the hey days of prolific scorer Ian Wright, Liverpool were not letting go. Even the Tottenham Hotspur of the great Glenn Hoddle, Leeds United of the Wallace brothers and the Crazy Gang - a team without money and said to be driven by nothing but team spirit - Wimbledon, could not stop Liverpool.

Not that Wimbledon were any good by any measure, but they were known for serious combat that made it difficult for other teams to play. Vinny Jones was about the only white dude in that line-up that engaged hard in tackles. Efan Ekoku and John Fashanu were part of the side that even won the FA Cup in 1988.

With Luiz Suarez shining for the Merseyside outfit, things look to be getting better for the team Kenny Daglish inherited from the ineffective Roy Hodgson. I have always believed The Reds needed a sharp-shooter that Fernando Torres was. Torres reached 'sale-by' date without anyone noticing his shelve life was done. One can hope that Andy Carroll will come in and complement the hard working Suarez.

David Ngog had been getting a lot of play time, ahead of perennial super-sub, Babel. Babel wanted out, as coach after coach seemed to think he is a 10 minute player. Dirk Kyut has revived his touch and though I will never believe that there will be a better Liverpool side than the 80's one, they will be a team to beat next season. They need a little more to get my full sympathy. Spurs have a lot of homework to do, if I am to be at White Hart Lane next season.

It is still early for anything, but be warned, someone is not walking alone.