The Sunday News
Lovemore Dube
NOT until Shushine Football Club provided Tavaka Gumbo and Isaac Riyano to the 1993 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year Calendar did Zimbabwe take note of the vast talent in the town of Zvishavane on the southern tip of the sports rich Midlands Province.
Prior to that, the town of Zvishavane was known mostly for its asbestos, the rich emerald deposits in nearby Mberengwa and of course athletics and Devera Ngwena Jazz Band later to remain as Zhimozhi Jazz Band.
But like in any life situation there can’t be 100 main actors. Riyano and Tavaka, because of the telepathic combination probably born out of their uncle-nephew relationship, made them glow in a pool of talented pack of players. As the engine room in a team coached by legendary Arcadia, Black Rhinos, Dynamos and Warriors legend, Hamid Dhana, it was only fair that the cog of the team had to be the midfield where both shone like beacons and deservedly made it onto the soccer stars’ calendar in an era dominated by forwards Agent Sawu, Vitalis “Digital” Takawira, Moses Milanzi and the late Adam Ndlovu.
But there was a star who today walks tall whenever he vists Zvishavane, Martin Ncube, a lanky midfielder turned into a reliable centre back by Dhana at Shushine.
Born on 10 August 1967 in Bulawayo, it did not come as a surprise that the football bug caught up with Ncube. He grew up in the Mzilikazi suburb, home to many football legends who include Zebron Magorimbo, Ananias Dube, Ephraim Moloi,
Douglas Maneto, Henry Nyandoro, Nqobizitha Maenzanise, Max Tshuma, Francis Goredema, Nhamo Chizunza, 303 Marume of the yesteryear generation.
The last two decades have seen Gift Lunga (Jnr) lead a cast of brilliant footballers that includes the Ngodzo brothers Joel, Johannes, Petros and Zephaniah, Donald Munthali and Thabani Goredema who come from “G” Square.
Ncube went to Mzilikazi Primary School and was classmate to Willard Khumalo, one of a few from that era who made it and were not age cheats in the game.
The late Khumalo won several medals with the Young Warriors and Highlanders and even had a stint in Germany’s lower leagues.
“It was an era where we played football from sunrise to sunset for fun. The usual whipping in the evening for having strayed from one section of the suburb without doing family errands did not deter us from our commitment to the game. We were able to play among ourselves before we were identified for organised coaching.
“I was picked up by Ali Dube from Mzilikazi Youth Centre and called up to the Highlanders Juniors in 1979 as an Under-14.
We won the Chibuku Trophy and Castle Cup. I boast of two medals each in both tournaments,” said Ncube.
So intense was the competition in his era that Lotshe Primary School was the top football primary school in the 1970s with players like Netsai Moyo, Mark Dube, Madinda Ndlovu, Agayi Moyo, among the best talent from Makokoba back then.
Losikeyi had the likes of the late Zimbabwe Saints legend, Obey Sova and Tobias Mudyambanje. At Mzilikazi Primary School Ncube played with Max Tshuma’s younger brother, Michael and Wellington Jemwa who played for Bata Power and he managed to sneak into the seniors team while a junior at primary school to play with Eagles, Dynamos and Zimbabwe legend, Lucky Dube.
“Competition for places and generally football was very competitive back then. I was lucky to make it to the school first team as a little boy and play with the likes of Lucky Dube, one of the best goalkeeping talents this country has seen,” said Ncube.
Growing up, his inspiration was the late Archieford Chimutanda who played for Black Aces and the Warriors.
“He had good ball control and vision. I wanted to play like him and no wonder why I played as a midfielder at some stage before Hamid Dhana threw me to the back,” said Ncube from his Mzilikazi “G” Square home.
Ncube proceeded to Sobukhazi Secondary School where he continued with his passion — football — winning the Dunlop Trophy for schools in Matabeleland North once and as many times as a runner-up. It was a good team and he played with the likes of the late Dumisani Ngulube, Hlazo Edmore Moyo, Thamsanqa Ndlovu, John Maseko and his elder brother who at some stage looked the most likely replacement for Madinda on the Highlanders right flank.
Club football at Mzilikazi Youth Centre, he said played a key role too in his development as he was able to add extra hours of practice to perfect his game in a different environment.
He recalls playing against Maxwell Cheche Billiat, Joe Mugabe and Silver Chigwenje who were part of Caps United juniors in the 1980s.
Ncube, Gumbo, Nhamo Sibanda and Thabani Sibanda were identified playing in the Bulawayo dusty fields by Akim Khan who took them to Zvishavane to join Shushine then in Division Two in 1988.
“The following year we were promoted to Division One. We did not stay long there and eclipsed bitter rivals Shabanie Mine to play in then Super League in the following year. We had a good number of players like Tavaka, Riyano, Isaac Malunga, Joe Kwangwari, Vivian Mushekwa, a young Misheck Makota we recommended from Gaths Mine and we were under Ian ‘Fifa Coach’ Mpofu. But we stayed in the elite league for a year and were relegated only to bounce back the following year.
“The sponsorship was good and the town was football crazy. We enjoyed ourselves there and I only left in 1994 when the club folded,” said Ncube.
His most memorable run was reaching the Zifa Cup semi-finals against Caps United. He scored the equaliser to make it 2-2 in Harare before they were bundled out of the event with a 3-1 scoreline at their backyard in Zvishavane.
“Experience must have been a big factor. We were just no match for a Caps side that had Joel Shambo, Basil Chisopo and Carlos Max,” said Ncube.
One match that stands out was a 1-1 draw at home to champions, Dynamos.
“A few days preceding the match, fans had openly put up bets that should we get a penalty against Dynamos, I would not be able to score against Peter Fanwell. He was a monster between the posts, so big that he made it hard for strikers to score past him from the spot.
“I could also feel the pressure going into the game. I kept on saying if we got one, we would I be able to score past the giant?”
As fate we would have it, a few minutes into the match Dynamos right back Angirayi Chapo handled in the box.
“I could feel the pressure in the stands. The fans who had bet had their moment coming true and there I was to prove a point.
I coolly slotted the ball the opposite direction of the diving Peter Fanwell to make it 1-0. They were to equalise later to force a share of the spoils through Vitalis Takawira.
“But how could fans bet on a penalty kick before the match was even played? It was a big match with all the action on both goalmouths,” said Ncube.
Upon leaving Shushine he had a stint at Ziscosteel playing under Ephraim Moloi, Benedict Moyo and George Chieza of the famous Chieza brothers who made a mark at Mhangura with the likes of Philemon Phiri, Alex Masanjala and Lovemore Nyabeze.
His teammates at Zisco were Thamsanqa Thambo, Stanford Phiri, Mandla “Diego” Mpofu, Cabin Masimbe, Knight Mathe, Godfrey Tamirepi and Rabson Phiri.
A year later AmaZulu came calling and he joined Delma Lupepe’s Usuthu in 1996 when they were still in Division One.
“I played just a season and were promoted to the Premiership. AmaZulu were professionally run. They paid well and showed their intent for serious football business. It was good playing with the likes of Nqobizitha Maenzanise, Isaac Riyano, Goodson Gama, Costa Chiimba and Ferdinand Mwachindalo but three years later injury brought my career to an end. I wanted to play a number of years in the Premiership but was quickly taken to the club’s development structures as a coach and taken to coaching school,” said Ncube.
He holds a Level Three Coaching Diploma and a development certificate. As a coach Ncube remains among hundreds of unsung heroes who are development trainers and scouts. He coached the likes of Kuda Mahachi, Simon Munawa, Thabani Goredema, Godfrey Makaruse and Carlton Siamulonga.
“I cherish an opportunity to coach juniors. It is my passion and I believe that is an area me and other former players can contribute to.”
He believes football administration in the country has gone down with little thought spared to former footballers.
Development he insists is the cornerstone of any club and Zimbabwe football.
