The Sunday News
Danisa Masuku
MZILIKAZI suburb has been the breeding ground for footballers. Names that quickly spring to mind are Ben Makadzange, Max Tshuma, Andrew Kadengu and Philemon Dangarembwa just to mention four that were among the shining stars in the Mashonaland United FC (now Zimbabwe Saints) brigade that ruled the roost in late 1970s.
Andrew “Mai Maria” was plucked out of the fertile football ground of Mzilikazi suburb. He was famously called Mai Maria, not because he exhibited femininity characteristics but because he was a devout Roman Catholic Church member and used to sing a popular Roman Catholic song Mai Maria.
One of Mashonaland United’s famous and eccentric supporter Ben Gwafa coined a nickname for him. Kadengu explains how “Mai Maria” gained prominence.
“The nickname gained popularity during my debut match when we played against Arcadia United FC in the Rosebowl Cup game at Rufaro Stadium. I scored an opener, as a result our popular supporter led the chorus Mai Maria. After that zita iroro rakazvoita mbiri (The moniker gained popularity),” he shares with Sunday Life Sport.
The most prominent Mashonaland United supporters Gwafa and Khumalo joined forces with the rest of the supporters in cheering their beloved team as they belted out Mai Maria usandisiye . . . Kandengu revealed that the song was belted out when: “I scored or when the chips were down,” he says.
Interestingly the moniker has lived on up to date. He shares with me that even today when his former players meet up with him they still call him Mai Maria and most people in Chinhoyi do so.
He says he grew to accept the name.
“I had no choice but to accept the nickname although some people who were in dark on how the name emanated from started to suspect otherwise about my gender, but they had to understand after I explained how I earned the moniker,” he explained.
He had an enjoyable stay at Mashonaland United side but had to taste his own bitter medicine when he refused to join the rest of the team in bathing with a mixture of juju.
“I was benched for two consecutive games after I refused join the rest of the squad in bathing naked with a mixture of juju meant to aid us in winning.
Due to that I had to endure a turbulent relationship with my coach Simon Machaya. Despite my capabilities I had to come off the bench in most of the matches,” he disclosed.
He had to thank his unmatched skill in finding the back of the net; if it wasn’t for that he was going to be sent packing. Besides that his gods smiled at him, how? His tormentor in coach Machaya left Chiwororo brigade, Kadengu breathed a sigh of relief. He says his faith in Jesus was put to the test.
“I have never believed in the power of juju. When I refused to join the entire team in bathing with a concoction of juju I received a baptism of fire. I was called names . . . some within the rank and file of the team called me a sell-out, while some said I am a rude player but I stood my ground and remained focused on my duty of playing football and scoring,” he reveals.
Did he have any heartaches towards his tormentor?
“In my Christian walk I have learnt to forgive so that I will experience a relationship with Jesus Christ. Of course I had to fight off some heartaches and bitterness over it,” he bares his heart.
Each and every team has a comical player who makes lighter moments in camps. He picks out his former striking partner Chita Antonyo and goal minder Musa Muzanenhamo as the most humorous players.
“The two were friends and used to crack jokes during our camp meetings, at times they would sneak out for booze in town. But a dark cloud hung over them when chairman Ambrose Mutungwazi discovered that they sneaked out he punished them. Antonyo was slapped with a three-match ban while Muzanenhamo escaped the punishment because there was no one to cover his gap as Zebron Magorimbo’s form had taken a deep,” he says.
The year 1977 goes down as one of his best as his side clinched the Rhodesia National Football league (RNFL) title with a comfortable victory over Risco FC at Torwood Stadium, Redcliff.
“We beat Risco 5-2 and clinched the league title with a game in hand against Black Aces,” he says. As if that was not enough they capped his stellar year with the Castle Cup.
But the 1977 season had not been without heartaches for Kadengu as the triumphant Saints, featured in two finals — Nyore Nyore Cup Shield and Chibuku Trophy but lost in both encounters.
The Castle Lager Premiership Saints winning side had the likes of Musa Muzanenamo (goalkeeper), Isaac Banda (defender), Philemon Dangarembwa (defender), Ephraim Moloi (centre back), Lucky Rufani (centre back), skipper Max Tshuma (link-man), William Sibanda (link-man), Steven Kwashi (a right striker), Andrew Kadengu (left striker ), Nhamo Chizunza (striker), Chita Antonyo (striker).
In 1978 Kadengu wrote his own piece of history as he was crowned Soccer Star of the year finalist.
“I was one of the Soccer Star of the Year finalists in that year, George Rollo was crowned the Soccer Star of the Year,” he shares.
In the same vein he says he used to enjoy derby matches against Highlanders.
“I used to enjoy matches against Highlanders. Such matches were tests of football character and subsequently determined the kings of the city,” he says.
Highlanders’ back line of Lawrence “Lofty” Phiri and Fanuel Ncube and Dynamos’ Sunday Marimo (now Chidzambwa) used to give him a fair share of headache.
His worst match was when his side was humiliated by a Division Two outfit —Railstars FC.
“My worst match was when we were drubbed 3-1 in cup game by Railstars,” he revealed.
In his ten-year stay at Zimbabwe Saints he won 18 medals that range from Rosebowl Cup, Castle Cup, Chibuku Cup to a league Cup.
In 1983 he had to call it quits. He had to rest for two years at his residence in Chinhoyi. In 1987 he tried his hand at coaching Zimbabwe Saints but at the end of 1988 he threw in the towel. He did coaching badges and is a holder of level 3 coaching certificate and Caf C coaching licence.
Just like many former football players he believes coaches have to tap and nature talent from grassroots.
“There is a lot of talent at grassroots and academies as such coaches need to cast their nets wider and go even to rural areas and mining towns,” he says.
He says turning a blind eye on the junior policy is suicidal.
Fact File
He was born on 20 November 1952.
He was married to the late Cathrine Moyo. The couple was blessed with four children Patricia, Nyarai, Tendai and Rumbi.
He fellowships at Roman Catholic Church. He is now Zifa Mashonaland West board member, before that he was the vice- chairperson for Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association.
