The Sunday News
Danisa Masuku
Most of the yesteryear football greats that have graced this column have pointed out that Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (Bafa) league helped in shaping many of the footballers’ careers. One such player who bears true testament to this is Benjani “Sikhwama” Mpofu. He earned the nickname Sikhwama after showing good displays and stamping authority in the middle of the park.
He says at first he disliked the moniker but in no time former Rhodesia National Broadcasting Corporation (RNBC) sports casters Colet Bahlangene and Luke Mkandla picked it up and spread it to all corners of the country during their sports commentary.
Edward “Magungubala” Dlamini who played for Highlanders and captained it in 1969 season and watched Sikhwama during the peak of his career said: “He was good in ball distribution and attack and possessed a rare skill as he could do anything with the ball except to make it talk. As such fans quickly gave him the nickname Sikhwama and it gained popularity in the football scene.”
Sikhwama kicked off his football career at a Bafa side Eastern Rovers in 1968. At the outfit he played alongside late Daniel “Dididi” Ncube. He spoke highly of Dididi.
“Those who had the opportunity to watch Dididi will testify that he was a terrific footballer. He (Dididi) and I left Eastern Brothers to join Highlanders in 1970. We formed a good combination and was a good striker who could score in every match. Dididi left Highlanders and joined Dynamos, there he made a mark. If Dynamos were awarded a corner kick most defenders used to mark no one else but him,” said Mpofu.
The 72-year-old midfield spoke glowingly for Bafa.
“Playing in Bafa league allowed players to grow as footballers and personalities. This prepared them for life for the big stage which by then was limited to tournaments such as the Osborne Trophy and Townshend and Butcher Trophy,” says Sikhwama.
He continues: “Bafa gave budding stars a platform to gain game time for later development at bigger clubs that included Bulawayo Rovers, Salisbury Callies, Tornados, Chibuku Shumba, Dynamos, Mashonaland United, City Pirates, Matabeleland Highlanders, Eastern Brothers, Mhangura, Hwange, Gweru United, Gaza United, Mutambara Brothers and Black Aces.”
Bafa vice-chairman Charles Chunda who turned out for African Lumber weighed in saying: “Bafa has come in handy in identifying football talent at a tender age. We work hand in glove with Nash and Naph in identifying potential soccer players.”
He continues: “Football, singing and drama were part of everyday life then. Very few youths never found time to engage in vices such as drugs, alcohol, and gambling.”
The former African Lumber player sums up saying Division One teams had rich talent that was churned out to PSL teams.
“At one time while I was with Red Seal we had Simon Ncube and David Phiri who later played for Highlanders. It was not just Red Seal Rovers, there were clubs like Archer, Monarch and Merlin where clubs sent their juniors to gain game time,” says Sikhwama.
Some of the names that carved their talent at Bafa are Ananias Dube who was a goalkeeper par excellence and turned out for Highlanders. Edward Dzowa and Billy Sibanda make the list. But the list would not be complete without the mention of Barry Daka.
Mpofu said Highlanders backline could defend well and was touted as one of the best in 1974 and that Highlanders squad came complete with Edward “Magungubala” Dlamini, Andrew “Scrupata” Jele, Billy Sibanda and Edward “Sales House” Dzowa. He says he clicked well with Tommy Masuku who was a talented winger.
“We formed a well-oiled combination with Tommy Masuku who was one of the best players in Bulawayo. He knew my style of play and was good in ball distribution and crosses. Of course in Harare they valued George Shaya but this side Tommy was one of the kings of football. Tommy was a regular in the Bulawayo Select squad Red Army,” he said.
During his playing days at Highlanders, Mpofu developed a lot of respect for former Dynamos defender Shadreck Ngwenya.
“Ngwenya was solid in all the partnerships he was involved with, be it at All Blacks, Black Aces, Chibuku Shumba, Dynamos,” said Sikhwama.
During the highlight of his football career there were good teams that set the football scene alight with quality footwork and football artistry, such teams include Mhangura, Gwelo United, Hwange and Rio Tinto.
The legend spoke of John Phiri and Ephert Lungu both of whom were good enough to be capped a number of times by the Warriors.
He also made good mention of Amos Rendo and Misheck Bhibo of Wankie (now Hwange) that formed another solid partnership that was difficult to breach.
Sikhwama said his most unforgettable game was when his side was trounced 4-0 by Gwelo United in 1974.
“We went to Gweru with our tails up and confident of a win but Gwelo United humbled us 4-0. They outclassed us in all departments and we were reduced to rank amateurs,” he says.
Sikhwama called time on his career in 1978 after he sustained a groin injury.
At the moment Highlanders is going through a bad spell, some football fundis and fans are of the view that the executive is failing to manage Highlanders hence the confusion in the coaching department. Regarding that Sikhwama said: “Highlanders is a big institution that has a good brand but with the confusion that is reining supreme at the club its brand will be tainted and that will affect the corporate image of the club.”
Mpofu expressed disappointment at the controversial decision made by Zifa President Philip Chiyangwa.
“In my humble opinion Chiyangwa erred in reversing the red card that was issued to Christian Epoupa Ntouba after he head-butted Peter Muduwha in an encounter that ended one-all last Sunday. His decision showed that he wants to aid Dynamos in fighting for the PSL title and that is unfair for the game of football. His decision has caused confusion, as a result it paints a bad picture on our soccer. He should keep away from such matters as that would taint his reputation and let the experts in that area deal,” he said.
Fact File
-Benjani Mpofu was born in 1948.
-He is married to Margaret and they have three children namely Elen, Melody and Joseph.
