Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
GETTING off to a solid start with his teammates, is something Teenage Hadebe has been looking forward to, and is an important goal this pre-season.
The towering player, entering his first full season with United States of America’s (USA) FC Cincinnati, has been talking about his desire to start the season and get to know his teammates in a real, authentic way since the 2024 season.
The centre-back joined The Orange and Blue outfit late in the season last year, essentially at the final hour before the Major League Soccer (MLS) roster freeze.
Signed as a free agent, Hadebe joined FC Cincinnati after a stint in Turkey, but had extensive MLS experience having been a Designated Player with Houston Dynamo and helping them win the US Open Cup in 2023.
After he made his debut in the regular season — a 45 minute start against NYCFC that he later described as “a disaster” — he earned the trust of head coach Pat Noonan and his staff and started all three play-off games as well as most of the games down the stretch.
But Hadebe believes he is just getting started.
As much progress as was made last season, to make the real strides both as an individual and as a team, the bonding done from the start of pre-season is an investment that should pay dividends all-year long.
Related Stories:
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for,” Hadebe told FC Cincinnati media ahead of the start of MLS action on 22 February.
The former Kaizer Chiefs, Highlanders, Chicken Inn and Bantu Rovers defender further said: “Last time I came on, the season was about to end. I’m going to start with everyone this year. I think it’s always important as a player not to miss the pre-season, because if you miss pre-season, sometimes some of the things you end up lost on. You get used to the people, get used to the style of play, the coaches, the structure, the philosophy, things like that. It’s difficult to catch up, especially when the guys are already fitting together.”
Fondly known as Manero, Hadebe is reportedly as easy a locker room fit as a person can imagine. He always carries a smile, and has a positive attitude but is focused on team success.
The Zimbabwe national team defender has reportedly said he prioritises the team’s success and wants to focus his energy on improving the team through his performances.
He calls everyone who wears the Cincinnati badge his brother (the players, the coaches and the fans). Even though he has been with the club only a few short months he says he wants to give everything he has to it.
“That is just who I am. This is my club so I want to give it everything, that’s how I was raised and that’s what feels right to me. I am ready to sacrifice for this club, to give it everything I have,” said the Makokoba-bred footie.
