The Sunday News
Danisa Masuku
A name carries some information about a person and the meaning carried by that name tends to shape the character of that individual. But it is everyday that a person lives up to the intended meaning of the name?
Well its food for thought? Ephraim Kidman Moloi is one such player who had a name that set tongues wagging in his suburb and football scene. Kidman, people wondered!
Because of his name, adults and age mates alike used to poke fun at him. Some saying behaved like a kid while others assumed Kidman was a nickname. But they had to believe when he told them that it was his second name. When he joined Highlanders under-12, his name gained popularity and became more prominent when he broke into Highlanders first team. But he never lived up to his second name.
His drafting into Highlanders first team was eye-catching, something of a divided opinion! Prior to his selection into the first team his coaches Silas Ndlovu and Boet Van Ays a player — coach had a misunderstanding which led to a harsh exchange of words. Ndlovu saw a potential in Moloi’s displays but Van Ays believed the lad needed to improve in some areas.
“The two exchanged harsh words resultantly Van Ays walked off the field of play and left for good and Ndlovu stuck to his decision and drafted me into the first team,” he says.
His make-believe footwork and confidence made him to charm his way into a section of hard to please Highlanders supporters’ hearts that were of the firm belief that due to his “kidman stature” he could not fit into the shoes of a dependable defender Lawrence Phiri. Not only that on the match day at Barbourfields stadium a section of the so-called passionate fans called the coach him to the fence to air their concerns.
He explained: “My debut match was a derby against Mashonaland United FC in 1973 (later changed to Zimbabwe Saints). I was tasked to mark Zimbabwe Saints prolific striker Cheetah Antonio as such many of our supporters believed he would outclass me and I would cost the team. Lucky enough I managed to contain Cheetah and that gave me confidence as such I managed to match him toe to toe,” he says.
He added: “After the match I was overwhelmed. The supporters lifted me up and ran around the pitch with me.”
Kidman stamped his authority in the heart of defence as such he became a regular member of the first team.
A memorable match that is still etched on his mind is when “We played Rio Tinto FC in the semi-final of Castle Cup and drubbed them 4-1. What makes it special to me is that after that encounter I became a regular scorer.”
But a match that he does not want to remember was when his side was trounced by Zimbabwe Saints in 1976 in Chibuku Cup final at Rufaro stadium.
“What hurt most of us was that we had beaten them in the league. And we went to that match with tails up as such complacency affected us as such we lost in Chibuku final,” he recounts.
Some of the players that made up the black and white army tick were Lawrence Phiri on the right back, left back Peter Zimuto and Zenzo Dabengwa on the centre back. The midfield department was made up of Barry Daka, Stanly Nyika, and Timony Mabaleka while the strike force department came complete with Josiah Nxumalo, Majuta Mpofu and Isacc Mafaro. The substitutes were Itai Chieza and Chatika Tembo. Moloi helped the squad to land the Castle Cup in 1974. One of the highlights of his career was when his side toured South Africa in 1975.
“I was part of the Highlanders squad that took part in friendlies against Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa,” he said.
Little did he know that there were scouts who were looking for talent.
“After the invitational tour scouts came to Zimbabwe and talked to my agent Silas Ndlovu. I agreed to the terms and signed the papers. Sadly when I was about to leave to South Africa my parents refused citing political instability in that country. So I had to bitterly watch the opportunity slip through my hands,” he says.
Moloi was part of that Bosso squad that broke ranks with Rhodesia National Football League to form the South Zone Soccer League in 1976. Bosso arrived at that bitter decision after Rhodesia National Football League (RNFL) awarded DeMbare a walkover following incessant rains that left Barbourfields Stadium unplayable.
Following that decision Moloi did not immediately quit Bosso. He played a few games with the outfit. After a short stint he left the Highlanders army and joined Olympics FC. His flirtation with the side was short-lived; he then joined Zimbabwe Saints in 1977.
That Chauya Chikwata outfit had the likes of William Sibanda, Cheetah Antonio, Andrew Kadengu, Gibson Homela, Stephen Kwashi, Max Tshuma, Gibson Homela, Zebron Magorimbo, Isacc Banda, Ben Makadzange and Philmon Dangarembwa. The side was coached by Tendai Chieza. He found the side at the purple patch and helped it to land a double Cup.
“The team had quality players and we formed a formidable force as such we went on to win a league title and Castle Cup,” he said.
Kidman sparkled in Chauya Chikwata colours showing alertness, zest and hunger for success and that left the national team coaches with no choice but to involve him in the national team. As such he was part of the Rhodesia National Football team (RNF) from 1977 up to 1981.
As the time the PSL was not paying so players had to be formally employed to make a living, as such Kidman secured a job with Rhodesia Iron Steel Company (RISCO) which later on changed to Ziscosteel.
“I got a job as a production clerk and rose through the ranks to be a processing manager a position I held until I retired. At the side they switched me to a left back position. I did not have any qualms about it because their centre backs were very good,” he recalls.
In his newest chapter with RISCO he won the Castle Cup. But he did not last long.
“When I was put in 12-hour shift I could not cope with pressure and I had to quit soccer at the age of 27 in 1982,” he said.
In 1990 he did coaching badges and attained part B Germany coaching certificate. In 1991 he was offered a part–time job to coach his former club and helped it to be promoted into the PSL. The team found the going tough in the league. Seeing that the situation was rocky most of the players crossed the floor to Lancashire FC. As a result he had to throw in the towel.
Asked about how he feels about the team (Highlanders) that propelled him to stardom, he delivered a one-worder. “I’m disappointed.”
He continued: “Now there is a different culture at the once respected institution. During my playing days Highlanders used have half of the players from the juniors unlike now. At the time our team used to buy one or two players . But now the prevailing trend is new players from other teams are hired but not all of them deliver. Most of them find it hard to learn the team’s culture and ideology.”
He said they used to be co-ordination and continuity.
“The entire senior team used to take time to watch or even train with the juniors and coaches used that opportunity to identify potential players. The strategy helped a lot in motivating the upcoming players and those who were good were assured of playing in the senior team but not now,” he says.
After he called it quits he developed a hip- problem and has been in and out of the hospital. He says: “I now walk with an aid of crutches and I am yet to undergo hip –replacement.”
He worships at Jehovah ’s Witness and was baptized in 2014. He is married to Mable the couple was blessed with three children –Tendai, Tinashe and Tanaka.
