The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Highlanders right winger Collen Nyambiya has some words of advice for Bosso’s latest acquisition Roderick Mutuma who signed for Amahlolanyama last Tuesday.
Nyambiya said Mutuma needs discipline, leave the “rowdy” behaviour to the Bosso supporters and not try to compete with them. He also feels that Mutuma is not the biggest name to move from Dynamos to Highlanders as Stewart Murisa was the huge player to make the switch between the two biggest clubs in the country in recent history.
“He is not the biggest of player we have seen from Dynamos, Highlanders is better off when everyone welcomes you, not when there are others against that move, he should forget that he is a Prince, there were princes before him, Peter Ndlovu, people love him and Mutuma should leave the rowdiness to the supporters, he must not be a difficult person, wherever he goes, he must grow up and prove himself,’’ said Nyambiya.
The former winger joined Highlanders on loan from Railstars when he was on top of his game in 2005. He believes that the only thing Mutuma has to do to win the hearts of the Highlanders fans is for him to score the goals.
“He says he has been dreaming of playing for Highlanders, which is a good thing. I came from Railstars as a top player, if he doesn’t score and has no discipline that will put him under pressure. If he misses a chance especially against Dynamos the fans will blame him,’’ Nyambiya said.
Nyambiya, whose time at Bosso was hampered by injuries, knows how it is like to score a goal for Highlanders against Dynamos in front of Bosso fans at Barbourfields Stadium. He found the equaliser against DeMbare on 17 July 2005 in a match which ended in a 1-1 draw. Dynamos were leading Highlanders 1-0, Ali Cassim’s 29th minute header having put them ahead in a Buddie Premier League game when Nyambiya struck at the Mpilo End for the match to end in a stalemate.
“I know what it’s like to score a goal for Highlanders against Dynamos at Barbourfields, I scored the equaliser against Dynamos in a 1-1 draw.
Akbay (Erol) is even saying Mutuma is the one, Akbay knows nothing about his discipline, Mutuma must know that he is coming from Dynamos. For me it was easy, because I joined from another Bulawayo team, when Makwinji crossed the floor he was called names. As for Mutuma, the Dynamos fans don’t want him to succeed. By the time Bosso play against Dynamos he must have settled down, he must be good to the youngsters, they know where he is coming from. He was rowdy to his teammates at Dynamos, he is not a Highlanders person, he must work hard and try to be level headed,’’ said Nyambiya.
He described Mutuma as a brand but likened him to Italian striker Mario Balotteli whose good image has been distorted because of his lack of discipline. Nyambiya urged Mutuma to make his brand be seen by shining for Highlanders.
The 38-year-old Nyambiya is now running Young Flying Stars Soccer Academy based at Raylton Sports Club which looks after youngsters from the ages of five to 16. The academy was started in 2012. His playing career was from 1997 up to 2011 which saw him turn out for Ziscosteel, Railstars, Highlanders, Shabanie Mine and also had a stint in Albania.
Mutuma, after two weeks of speculation finally became a Bosso player last Tuesday when he put pen to paper on a one-year deal. The 28-year-old had his contract, which still had six months left terminated by Dynamos in what appeared to be his lack of good behaviour on and off the field of play.
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