Fungai Muderere
ZIMBABWE’S yesteryear football greats from Bulawayo and Harare Southern will on Saturday the 15th turn back the hands of time and reignite days gone by when they meet at Luveve Stadium.
But they are in need!
One of the organisers of the event, Herbert Dick, an ex-Amazulu, Monomotapa, How Mine, Highlanders and Warriors tough as a tick defender said:
“It’s an initiative that is meant to unite former players. We are going to take the idea to every corner of the country as there are ex-football players that are based in Hwange, Kadoma, Kwekwe and Mutare among other places. We believe yesteryear footballers are all ambassadors of this game in the country.”
Dick added that they were in need of $7 000 to cater for transport, accommodation food and accommodation hence they were appealing for a helping hand from the Bulawayo business community and by Wednesday they had raised a paltry $100.
“We need great monetary assistance from the Bulawayo business community. We don’t mind whether it comes in the form of bonds, EcoCash or in foreign currency. We need to raise $7 000 which we will use to cater for various things. We so far received $100 that came from JC Suppliers,” said Dick.
The match will be curtain raised by Highlanders Under-18 and Bulawayo City Under-18 junior clubs.
Entry fee is pegged at $2 for adults and $1 for children.
Dubbed Bulawayo Ambassadors versus Harare Ambassadors match football enthusiasts should look forward to seeing the former being represented by the likes of Muzondiwa Mugadza, Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, Johannes “Tshisa” Ngodzo, Sizalobuhle Dube, Richard Choruma, Zenzo Moyo and Dazzy Kapenya among other ex-players that used to illuminate the local football fraternity.
Ex-Shabanie Mine free kick specialist Francis “Gwejegweje” Chandinda, former Warriors holding midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha, Edward Sadoma, Dickson Choto, Ephraim Mazarura, Justice Majabvi, Sterwart Murisa and Eddy Mashiri are some of the former players that are set to do duty for the North-based squad.
In 2011, there was a challenge match between coaches and former players from the Northern and Southern regions organised by the Soccer Coaches Union of Zimbabwe at Gwanzura Stadium.
The match finished 2-2.
The Southern Region team had former Highlanders’ greats like Tobias Mudyambanje, Douglas Mloyi and the late Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo as well as former DeMbare defensive stalwart Angirai Chapo and ex-Chapungu man Beavan Gwamure.
The Northern region side had familiar names like FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza who partnered Dynamos’ Callisto Pasuwa in defence, CAPS United’s Lloyd Chitembwe, former Blue Ribbon mentor Misheck Chidzambwa, Moses Chunga, Black Rhinos’ Nesbert Saruchera, Brenna Msiska, Stanley Chirambadare, Eric Aisam and Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa.
