The Sunday News
Danisa Masuku
Richard Kasawaya has been a sportsman since his nascent stages to date. Kasawaya started his sporting life in Chiundura, Midlands province.
Even when his parents relocated to Bulawayo he did not abandon his passion but made sure that he lived for soccer. He manifested his footballing talent when he was at St Columbu’s Primary School (now High school).
“I enrolled for primary education when I was 16 years old and completed my primary level when I was 22 years old,” he said.
Highlanders scouts lured him and he joined the side, which is close to his heart. He played in the midfield department and left back. He adjusted to the settings at the Black and White Army. The presence of senior players like Edward Dzowa, Billy Sibanda and Chris Mhlanga made him feel at home.
Dzowa was more like a brother to him.
“Dzowa and I grew up together in Mzilikazi Township and were childhood friends. So when I joined Highlanders he shared with me the values and ideology of the team and also being a staunch supporter was a plus for me,” he said.
Kasawaya revealed that at the time they used to camp at former Highlanders benefactor Tafi Moyo’s house in Mzilikazi. He opened his heart.
“The football kit was usually taken to a juju man who sprinkled muthi on the uniform and that worked in our favour as we became a soccer power house,” he said.
At the time Bosso were under the leadership of Silas Ndlovu. Ndlovu was credited for bringing a new style of football, which paid dividends for the outfit as it won league titles in consecutive years from 1974 and 1975. But they suffered heartache in 1976 when they were cheated of Rhodesia National Football league. Kasawaya feels the 1973 season was his best in Highlanders colours.
“We were going through a Cup drought. We went to that Chibuku Trophy Cup final in Harare to face Mhangura with our tails between our legs. Any football pundit and fans alike could not expect anything from us. But on the match day we gave our all. We trounced Mhangura 3-0, that was a morale booster for us,” he shared with Sunday Life.
Club chairman Ndlovu revived the junior policy and his strategy paid dividends. The junior policy programme became a feeder to the senior team. He blended new acquisitions with new blood from junior structures.
“Silas went to the market and brought in Chutika Tembo, Stanley Nyika, Isaac Mafaro, Bruce Grobbelaar and Barry Daka returning to fortify the squad. Highlanders turned into a force to be proud of as it caught fire,” said Kasawaya.
After a worthwhile stay at Highlanders, Kasawaya switched to Eastlands. When he arrived there players like Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu and William Chirwa were among the seniors. At the time the fight for bragging rights had gained momentum, there was the traditional rivalry between Highlanders and Chiwororo as Zimbabwe Saints were fondly known at the time. Eastlands made the bragging rights rivalry even livelier. But a derby match between Zimbabwe Saints turned out to be his worst game.
“Our greatest benefactor Chikerema collapsed and died after the match. I was devastated because I was emotionally attached to him and he was like a father to me,” he said.
A match between his side and Dynamos goes down as his memorable match in his football life.
“Dynamos had stars like Oliver Kateya and George Shaya. Those players used to give me headaches but on that match day we matched them pound for pound and kept them under lock and key. Resultantly we won the match,” he says.
After spending a season with Eastlands he transferred to Steam Laundry in 1980.
But his stay at the side was cut short after spending half a season after he secured a job as a fitter and turner at Merlin. He says he had little time to attend training sessions. Kasawaya believes that put a dent to his career.
“At the time I became a regular bench warmer and featured in low profile matches. As a result I had to call it quits in 1984,” he said.
He spent two years out of the public eye. He had to bounce back in sport now as a golf player. Kasawaya is still into golf.
“I joined Bulawayo Golf Club and spent two years playing as an amateur and turned professional in 1999,” he says.
Commenting on the state of football, Kasawaya believes a lot of investment has to be done as the standards have gone down.
“The players who made it into the soccer star calendar are just average players who I rarely believe could make a grade in English Premier League. They could make a grade in the Absa (South Africa) Premier League but will quickly become an excess baggage after a season,” he says.
