The Sunday News
Lovemore Dube
YOU had to be very good to break into the Black Aces and Dynamos starting line ups.
These were two very strong teams of the 1970s era that were laden with talent. Clever Hunda is one player who tasted glory in both teams’ colours, a product of the old system in which talent was discovered at community youth centres run by local authorities.
The former midfield enforcer cut his teeth at Mai Musodzi hall in Mbare, Harare, a hub for football talent identification and development.
Forgotten in Zimbabwe following his move to Botswana in 1986, Hunda’s name will however, never be erased in the country’s football folklore as he was outstanding as an individual who teamed with other great players to make both Black Aces and Dynamos teams to follow.
Powerful in midfield and with a high work rate during the days of the 4-2-4 and 4-3-3 formations, he made his name as a hardworking but very imaginative old Number 6 at the now defunct Black Aces.
At Dynamos he was given a more attacking role as a Number 10 and still delivered with ease. Born on 2 September 1950 in Harare and schooled there, Hunda started his football career playing regularly at Mai Musodzi Hall where there was buzzing football activity.
He was poached by Dynamos, taken through the country’s biggest and most successful club’s Under-16 and Under-18s. Hunda was also a member of the Rhodesia Under-16, 18 and 21 sides.
Growing up in Rhodesia’s Mbare suburb, Hunda says of his age-mate, Chita Antonio who made a name for himself as hot property in Metal Box and Zimbabwe Saints’ attack, was the best among their peers.
Growing up looking for inspiration from Dynamos’ senior stars like Bernard Marriot, George Shaya, David Madondo, Stephen Chimedza, George Yoyo, Chitimbe, Magwenzi and Mlambo, he made his debut for the senior side in 1969 against Lusitanos.
He paid tribute to the man who discovered him at Mai Musodzi and made a star out of him, a Dynamos founding father, Josiah Akende.
“Akende discovered me at Mai Musodzi. He was in charge of Dynamos juniors and later I was under Obadiah Sarupinda in the first team,” said Hunda, who is a familiar face and name in Botswana soccer.
The five times capped by Rhodesia star won the Chibuku Trophy, Albar Cup and the BAT Rosebowl with Dynamos and remembers the marathon penalty shootout loss to Hwange in the 1973 Castle Cup final.
Ernest Kamba, Oliver Kateya, Sunday Chidzambwa, Matthew Mwale, Labani Kandi and David George are some of the players he rubbed shoulders with at Dynamos.
At the formation of Black Aces from the ashes of Chibuku Shumba Hunda was among the players in the new football project. He reckons the period 1977-79 as one of the most exciting for his career when Aces were among top clubs in the country with a great crop of players a good number considered legendary figures.
Picture him in a midfield with Archieford Chimutanda, said to be among the most creative linkmen ever and the brilliant David Muchineripi.
Add to the mix Daniel Chikanda, dribbling wizard July Sharara, Peter Manyara, Bernard Dzingayi, Booker Muchenu, Byron Manuel, Allan Hagan, George Kuawana, Wonder Chisetera, Charles Gwazo and medical doctor turned star defender Rodrick Muganhiri.
It was a very exciting and organised team that made Highfield suburb carry good bragging rights in the then Rhodesian capital Salisbury.
“Our coach was Jimmy Finch with Khan Khan the club chairman. He did everything for us as players and club during those days,” said the 71-year-old gaffer.
He added that players called their chairman Mr Money as he took great care of their welfare.
Hunda, who also played for State House Tornados, described Mangula (Mhangura) star, Isaac who had a stint with Dynamos and the national team as his most difficult opponent.
Other brilliant footballers that he dreaded clashing against were the versatile Gibson Homela and his immensely talented Mashonaland United (later Zimbabwe Saints) teammate William Sibanda.
Sibanda was a gifted schemer who made midfield play look so easy with his intelligence and work ethic.
Former Sables, Highlanders and Rio Tinto star, Stanley Nyika was another difficult opponent.
Hunda also picked up silverware with Aces.
Speaking of players of his generation a majority of whom retired in the first five years of an independent Zimbabwe, Hunda believes they were more talented than later generations.
“Oh boy! It was a great feeling my brother, those boys were talented, they could do anything with the ball. We used to change formations on the pitch at anytime. It was great playing with George Shaya, Ernest Kamba, Madondo and Marriot at Dynamos.
“How I wish today’s players had watched us at Black Aces and Dynamos. We were a family. Looking at generations I believe we were the best and we played with our brains and feet,” said the legendary midfielder.
Hunda said they played with passion to get goals. He bemoaned lack of talent in today’s game.
“Today’s players can’t express themselves, there is no confidence on the ball, they are scared of fans and they are always thinking about money before they play,” said Hunda.
He was taken to Botswana by Police X1 in 1986 and has in the last 35 years coached the cops, BMC, Botswana Defence Forces, Prison FC, Gunners, Santos FC and Notwane.
“I have managed to win two cup finals out of six that I have reached in Botswana,” said the veteran gaffer.
He said in Botswana he was not able to pick up more silverware as he was often employed to save teams from relegation or to get them promoted.
Hunda said he was happy to see a few pictures of himself at Zifa Headquarters. He challenged the national association and clubs to start honouring legends.
“We must have a Hall of Fame. Today if I go to Zifa nobody knows who Clever Hunda is. Your publication must continue to unearth us.
“One wonders where the likes of Gibson Homela are. Homela is a great football man who deserves to be at Zifa, people like Lawrence Phiri who know and speak football must also be utilised,” cried Hunda.
The Zifa Legends Committee is yet to get into action despite being put into place last year.
There is ever renewed talk of something needed to be done for legends but action has been little.
Recently Sakunda Holdings honoured three great footballers George Shaya (post humously), Moses Chunga and Madinda Ndlovu with houses.
Clubs are failing even to organise benefit matches for retiring club greats. Hunda is married to Beauty Ntlhaile and have three children with his 15-year-old son trying to follow in dad’s footsteps.
“His elder brothers were good but never liked football. Kids can disappoint if you expect them to follow your path,” said the much travelled coach.
Hunda is among many Zimbabwean coaches who have made a mark in that country.
Others to coach in that country are Benjamin Moyo (late), Blessing Moyo, Paul Moyo, Cosmas Zulu, Madinda Ndlovu, Rahman Gumbo, Barry Daka, Zechariah Muzadzi, Jethro Hunidzarira, Stanford Ntini and Prosper Mandivenga with Lawrence Phiri and Fabian Zulu having managed Notwane.
