BHORAFRIKA Issue 03 PHOTOS: © LIBERTINO & © STICKS UNDYING LOVE! Brito says he wants to finish his World Cup project with Warriors The 90s transfer that could have shot Peter Ndlovu to global stardom Nsukuzonke shares how he chose loyalty over glory From Bad Apple to Darling: Mhindirira charms Bosso boss Kaindu
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ii www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE CONTENTS UNDYING LOVE! Lot’s Temptation: Sengezo Tshabangu: “Even if we were to play against Bayern, we would hold our heads high” The 90s transfer that could have shot Peter Ndlovu to global stardom PSL’s strict policy to protect constantly blundering referees leaves Coaches “acting like fools” Highlanders executive taken to Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm, straight after electoral win Siblings gear up for interesting rivalry in Harare Derby Nsukuzonke shares how he chose loyalty over glory Opposition politics’ villain finds love at Barbourfields Stadium Brito says he wants to finish his World Cup project with Warriors ...adds onto 2,000 strong herd by donating cow for role in keeping principal sponsor Sakunda 02 08 19 17 14 05 12 From Bad Apple to Darling: Mhindirira charms Bosso boss Kaindu 10
1 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE EDITORIAL A nother month and another edition of your “favourite” BHORAFRIKA Magazine. To those who have downloaded this monthly ePaper before, thank you. We appreciate your support and interest in what we do. Thank you to our new readers, we hope you will enjoy this edition as much as thousands have enjoyed the previous ones. Welcome to the constantly growing BHORAFRIKA Magazine family. We have shared the past editions with more than 10,000 football lovers via WhatsApp, email and other means with hope we continue recording growth. This edition carries an article on Warriors GOAT Peter Ndlovu and how he decided against a blockbuster move that could have had him in more record books. We take a look at resurgent Highlanders Midfielder Divine Mhindirira and also the club’s most recent visit to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at Precabe Farm in Kwekwe. With the Harare Derby approaching, we spoke to the Chiwunga brothers, Lot and Temptation who play for rivals Caps and Dynamos respectively. We hope you will enjoy the piece. As referees continue hogging the limelight for all wrong reasons, we have an article where Coaches question why they are not allowed to criticise them for poor performances. This article aims to add onto ongoing conversations on how Coaches are expected to comment, even after they feel hard done. As always, your feedback is valued. Don’t hesitate to invade our X (@bhorafrika), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram inboxes with tips, news, criticism and any feedback you think might help develop this idea. Please, share this with friends, family, teammates, supporters of the club you root for and your rivals. Our dream is to have it delivered in phones as far as Malipati, Seboza and Kudjwara. Let’s share the beauty of our local game. Welcome to our “Dream Come True” Leopold Kudakwashe Munhende BHORAFRIKA Magazine Team Leader
2 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE F ormer Warriors Coach Baltermar Brito has expressed a strong desire to return to the helm of the national team, saying he has unfinished business with the squad. Brito, who led the Warriors to two draws in their World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda (0-0) and Nigeria (1-1) in November last year, spoke to bhorafrika.com from his base in Portugal. The former Highlanders Coach had been given a short contract to manage the Warriors until December 2023, whereupon expiry ZIFA’s Normalisation Committee chose not to renew it. Below is an excerpt of the interview bhorafrika.com (BA) had with Brito (BB), in which he declared he wanted to “finish the project that we started…” BA: Are you interested in getting the Warriors job back? BB: Definitely, I would like to return to Zimbabwe and finish the project that we started together as a nation. UNDYING LOVE! Brito says he wants to finish his World Cup project with Warriors - reveals Mourinho watched ZimbabweNigeria showdown in Huye, Rwanda
3 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE Zimbabweans are very passionate, so their support on the home soil will be very important to us, it makes the boys become stronger on the field of play. BA: Do you think Zimbabwe has the talent to compete with other powerhouses on the continent? BB: I have always said that Zimbabwe has talent, the quality of the players is amazing but what makes a great team is not having good players only. What makes a strong team is having players with character, (foreign) players who want to do different things, (foreign) players who concentrate and come out of their comfort zone to work together with local based players for success. A great team is made up of players who are proud to wear the national team jersey, players who want to represent their country with passion. BA: With the crop of players you had at your disposal, could you have led Zimbabwe to their maiden World Cup appearance? BB: It wasn’t going to be easy because the national team was inactive for close to two years due to the FIFA ban but as a united team. United we could make history. Statistically, the odds are against the Warriors although good things are always achievable. My desire is to see home games being played on home soil because I believe in the fan base that the Warriors have. BA: Having previously worked with Jose Mourinho, did you reach out to him for tactical assistance during your short tenure with the Warriors? BB: I worked with Mourinho for years and I respect his tactical expertise, but I did not seek tactical advice from him not because I don’t want his advice, but because he is always busy with his work and I did not want to be a bother. He was interested in knowing some of my results especially when I was at Highlanders. Mourinho watched the entire match when we drew one all with Nigeria in November. He sent me a message commenting about the squad after the match. Mourinho watched the entire match when we drew one all with Nigeria in November BA: ZIFA gave you a short term contract last year, your successor was also given a similar one. If offered the job would you be comfortable being put in the same situation? BB: I can’t talk about contracts at the moment, we would have to discuss that when the ZIFA Normalisation Committee speaks to me. It’s really difficult to discuss the kind of contract I would expect or look forward to when the discussions have not even started. BA: Given you have been reappointed, what would you like the association to fix for you during your tenure? BB: I would like to see a collective effort and collaboration between players, fans, and the government. This will help us to achieve success because a coach alone is not enough. I would also like the association to make frantic efforts to ensure that our games take place within Zimbabwe.
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5 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE T wo seemingly wrong calls by referee of the day Lloyd Mapanje, interpreted by fans as an attempt to hand victory to home side FC Platinum against Caps United at Mandava Stadium saw some of them storming its pitch and forcing abandonment of their match. They pointed out that FC Platinum’s opener had been offside, while their equaliser which was flagged offside by Linesman Mncedisi Maphosa, late in the second half was argued to have been onside. One, between Maphosa and Mapanje, was described as being stupid by an irate Caps United Coach, Lloyd Chitembwe. He argued Zimbabwean football had been reduced to a comic show by referees, angering administrators at the PSL headquarters, getting him a disciplinary hearing and a definite fine that was yet to be decided by time of publishing. “Such has been the problem in our football, where the wrong man takes centre stage. It’s just unfortunate and it has probably reduced this PSL to a comic show. It’s very unfortunate,” said PSL’s strict policy to protect constantly blundering referees leaves Coaches “acting like fools” Chitembwe after that match. “Week in week out, people are complaining about poor officiating. It’s very disappointing to see a referee taking centre stage for all the wrong reasons.”
6 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE Similarly, Chicken Inn Coach Joey Antipas was paraded before the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) Disciplinary Committee for “misconduct, ungentlemanly behaviour, insulting or improper behaviour likely to bring the game, sponsors, ZIFA and the league into disrepute. Antipas, who saw his side being beaten 1-0 by Manica Diamonds at Sakubva Stadium, called referee Lawrence Zimondi inept for not having spotted that the ball had gone out during the Gem Boys’ build up. “This is disappointing. It was poor officiating from kickoff, we were in trouble, they were just blowing against us,” Antipas said. “The goal they scored went out, but it was waved play on. The PSL is becoming comic because of poor officiating.” Dynamos Coach Genesis Mangombe has also expressed reservations on how his team had been dropping points as a result of poor officiating. His side lost three points against Yadah when a goal by Shadreck Nyahwa off a Temptation Chiwunga freekick was surprisingly flagged offside. Another wonder strike by Kelvin Moyo against Bulawayo Chiefs was scrapped after Nyahwa was adjudged to have been on the wrong side of the line when he received the ball before passing it to the Defender, denying his charges the win. Order 13 of the PSL’s Standing Orders and Fines bars players or coaches from making comments in the media implying bias or questioning integrity of match officials. According to ZIFA they are punished for poor performances, it is just not made public. Newly promoted TelOne threatened to pull out of the PSL following questionable refereeing by Tichaona Tigere whom they accused of determining the result in their match against Yadah. A letter sent to the PSL also highlighted similar grievances about their match against Hwange. “The conduct of the match officials for the Yadah match left a lot to be desired and if no action is taken to arrest this we will soon consider an abrupt end to our life in the PSL to protect our corporate brand and the huge financial resources that TelOne is channelling into the game of football at the expense of other worthy corporate social responsibility projects,” read its letter. “The recent performance of Tigere has left us convinced that the local game is critically suffering from biased officiating and subsequent integrity which is scary to current and wouldbe sponsors.” Tigere stands accused of ending their match before lapsing of added time. This, TelOne claims, was because they had managed to claw back into the game to 3-2 having trailed by three until its dying minutes.
7 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE With PSL referees virtually untouchable, coaches have begun to shy away from discussing occurrences on the field of play. FC Platinum and Interim Warriors Gaffer Norman Mapeza warned that Coaches were bound to feel victimised if denied an opportunity to comment in a clear and transparent manner. “As coaches we need to say whatever we feel especially after matches. We don’t need to feel like we are going to be victimised,” said Mapeza on the sidelines of PSL’s Coaches workshop during the preseason break. “Why should we keep quiet when things are not okay? Maybe there is a better way to address it but at the end of the day we need to talk as coaches. “It’s not like we are going to mourn for all the 34 games but when we are not happy, I think we just need to say it out loud. If there is no transparency, there is no professionalism.” Chicken Inn Assistant Coach Fungai Tostao Kwashi struggled to comment on their match against Yadah at The Heart Stadium. Having seen his boss being arraigned before PSL’s DC, Kwashi said he was neither prepared to test the football administrator’s patience nor monied enough to be in a position to pay a fine. “The boys fought hard, they knew before they even played that today was going to be Armageddon,” said Kwashi. “I am not even angry, I expected this. The boys knew we had our backs against the whole from the moment we entered these premises. “I am trying as much as possible not to say things that will get me fined but I have a lot to say. “If I say what is supposed to It’s not like we are going to mourn for all the 34 games but when we are not happy, I think we just need to say it out loud. If there is no transparency, there is no professionalism be said I will be fined, my club will be fined. So to avoid this I would rather act a fool.” Yadah overcame Kwashi’s Chicken Inn courtesy of two penalties, both of which were converted by marquee signing Khama Billiat. The Bulawayo based side was forced to player the greater part of the match one man short after veteran midfielder Danny Phiri was given marching orders early into the match. “Let Coaches speak the truth, when they speak the truth do not fine them because if you fine someone saying the truth we will not eradicate some of the challenges we are facing. “Give them freedom to say things as they are. Everyone can see what is happening in broad daylight,” he added. Order 13 of the PSL’s Standing Orders and Fines bars players or coaches from making comments in the media implying bias or questioning integrity of match officials
8 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE T he Harare Derby, pencilled for Week 12 of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) will have extra spice this season. Besides the obvious battle for maximum points, Dynamos and Caps United will have at their disposal a brother each from the Chiwunga family, Temptation and Lot respectively. Theirs will be a sibling rivalry Lot said is so important for himself and his club, his brother should emotionally Lot’s Temptation: Siblings gear up for interesting rivalry in Harare Derby LOT CHIWUNGA TEMPTATION CHIWUNGA It is going to be a normal game. I will be fighting for my badge and he will be fighting for his I can’t wait for that game. I want to see who is who between us
9 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE prepare himself for emotional strain. The last time two brothers faced each other in this derby was in 2018 when Dynamos had Panashe Mutasa in their books while Caps United were heavily reliant on his elder brother Wisdom. Their father, Lloyd Mutasa stood in Dynamos’ dugout on the day in April of that year. Lot is a veteran in local trenches, having risen through Dynamos’ academy before breaking into senior football at Kambuzuma United, moving to Douglas Warriors and then Black Rhinos where his name became household. At 37, and after hinting on retirement, Lot was snapped up by Caps United Coach Lloyd Chitembwe who has lined him up alongside twotime Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere, William Manondo, Ralph Kawondera and much recently Alois Bunjira Jnr. His brother Temptation signed for Dynamos in the off season from South African lower division side JDR side. “I can’t wait for that game. I want to see who is who between us,” said Lot. “Growing up we never imagined that we would play against each other at this level. This never crossed my mind, realising this would happen was actually a surprise. “The feeling is so good though, this is a family affair and as a soldier I have prepared myself to attack my own kin then we nurse our pain at home.” Their family is happy for the two according to Temptation, who is targeting the Castle Lager Premiership title with DeMbare. His club last collected the coveted title in 2014. Much like Lot, however, Temptation never imagined they would play against each other in a Harare Derby. “It is going to be a normal game. I will be fighting for my badge and he will be fighting for his,” said Temptation. “We will be rivals for the 90 minutes but then revert to being family after the match. “I never imagined this would happen. Our parents are very proud of what we have achieved, look we are playing for two of Zimbabwe’s biggest teams.” Temptation said his other wish was that Lot scores as many goals as possible for Caps United this season: “I really wish he scores for Caps United, definitely not against us though.” The Harare Derby has been played since 1976, with Dynamos dominating the tie. Last season Dynamos claimed a double over Caps United, winning 2-0 and 1-0 in the fixture. The feeling is so good though, this is a family affair and as a soldier I have prepared myself to attack my own kin then we nurse our pain at home
10 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE From Bad Apple to Darling: A ttacking Midfielder Divine Mhindirira’s story at Highlanders is really one of ‘Godly intervention,’ an unexpected turnaround right at the denouement of a once promising term at the Bulawayo giants. Just four months ago, Mhindirira was labelled a “bad apple” by the club’s former Chairperson Johnfat Sibanda; harsh words that followed his late arrival for pre-season in protest of his outstanding signing on fees. The club owed Mhindirira over US$10,000 of signing on fees dating back as far as 2019. That Sibanda uttered the comments at Highlanders’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) in his official capacity, left many convinced the industrious player’s time at Tshilamoya was up. “The truth of the matter is that the boy has gone AWOL again just like in the previous season. He always decides to come late for pre-season and as such we have decided to let him go. “He is a bad apple. He is not part of our plans and it’s a decision that we have taken and we are not going to change. We are not going back on that,” said Sibanda. Everything changed however, everything including Sibanda’s role at Bosso. A few weeks later Sibanda failed to retain his Chairmanship in a hotly contested election that was won by former military man Kenneth Mhlophe. The shift in leadership at the Bulawayo giants brought about a change of fortunes for Mhindirira who, according to Sibanda’s speech at the AGM, had already been deemed surplus to requirements. Newly appointed Coach Kelvin Kaindu declared that he wanted him, in fact the kind of praises he has showered on the midfielder in the past weeks do not betray that he almost left. Zambian expatriate Kaindu’s return has proved to be Mhindirira charms Bosso boss Kaindu The coming in of Divine has made a lot of difference and that’s why I kept on insisting that we needed a player like him in our first game against Dynamos
11 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE Return to full fitness after a lengthy absence due to an injury he sustained last season has seen Kaindu breath better. “The coming in of Divine has made a lot of difference and that’s why I kept on insisting that we needed a player like him in our first game against Dynamos,” said Kaindu when Bosso beat star-studded Simba Bhora in their third match of the season. “We stretched him to 90 minutes but he hasn’t been active for quite a long time, but if he continues to play like this in the other games that are coming, we hope to see the best out of him.” The former Power Dynamos coach praised the Chitungwiza born midfielder again following his contribution when Highlanders thumped new boys Chegutu Pirates 3-0 on 7 April. “Divine is doing some extra training on his own and I think we missed a player like him. We need a player like him,” said the 46-year-old Coach who almost clinched the title during his last stint at Bosso. He would definitely be banking on Mhindirira to reward his faith and in form Forward Lynoth Chikuhwa who until he uttered the ‘holy’ words; “I want him” was on his way out just like misfiring Stanley Ngala and Washington Navaya. a turning point for the 24-year-old whose stellar performance in the 2021/22 season earned him a spot among the league’s Best XI. He has not made it a secret that losing Mhindirira would have cost his side as he is an admirer of his type of play. Divine is doing some extra training on his own and I think we missed a player like him. We need a player like him
12 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE T he Highlanders Executive Committee added onto President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2,000 cattle by donating a cow, in what they said was appreciation for his role in ensuring continued financing by their principal sponsor Sakunda Holdings. Re-elected Highlanders Chairperson Kenneth Mhlophe led a delegation to visit President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his 600 hectare Precabe Farm barely a month after claiming the post from Johnfat Sibanda. Mhlophe, a former army Colonel, has strong ties with the Zanu PF First Secretary having worked together for ages and even closer during his tenure as Defence Minister. In 2021 Mhlophe presented Mnangagwa with a Highlanders jersey at Bulawayo’s State House when the state leader hosted a delegation that included then club Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nhlanhla Dube. At the time government had been reported to have given Highlanders a mine in Inyathi. Mhlophe intimated that they had gone to show Highlanders executive taken to Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm, straight after electoral win ...adds onto 2,000 strong herd by donating cow for role in keeping principal sponsor Sakunda The recent meeting was centred around how the club could get equipment for the mine, which is still just a bush
13 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE appreciation and also initiate discussions on how the club could be assisted, regarding the purchase of equipment. His election loss to Sibanda, who ran on the theme of “bringing back the club” which he argued “had been captured,” consequentially stalled all developments on the mining side. “Even after facing heavy backlash from Highlanders fans for having gifted Mnangagwa two Bosso jerseys last time, Mhlophe understands that making the right friends is the only way the team can become selfsustaining,” said a source from within Mhlophe’s circle. “The recent meeting was centred around how the club could get equipment for the mine, which is still just a bush. “Mnangagwa promised to assist the club in that regard, indicating a job well done by Mhlophe and his team if the promises given are kept.” Mhlophe had to brave a barrage of attacks for meeting Mnangagwa in 2021. Exiled former Cabinet Minister Jonathan Moyo went as far as declaring that his executive board had “kissed death” in reference to their chances at Bosso’s elections which were barely a month away. bhorafrika.com caught up with Mhlophe and recently appointed CEO Sihlangu Dlodlo who both confirmed the visit. Mhlophe said they had gone to check if their donation of a cow had been received. “We visited the President at his farm to confirm if our gift had arrived. “We gifted him a cow in appreciation for his role in ensuring our deal with Sakunda Holdings persists,” Mhlophe said. Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who owns Sakunda, and Mnangagwa are very close associates, with reports indicating that the fuel company had to be convinced right at the top to renew its sponsorship deal, particularly with Highlanders, whose Sibanda chaired board stepped on a number of toes during last year’s campaigning period ahead of national elections. Sakunda also sponsors Dynamos since striking a deal with both clubs in 2021. Asked what had been discussed at the meeting, Mhlophe deflected questions to Dlodlo who, however, laboured hard in clear fear of saying the wrong thing. “We have gotten a lot of support from the President,” said Dlodlo on the sidelines of Sakunda’s handover of their Adidas kits. “He is a Highlanders supporter and when people see us visiting him they should never think we are doing it because of the office he holds. “Even Dynamos is a Bosso supporter since we are ithimu yezwe lonke. “Our relationship with the President goes beyond his office. The most important thing is that we are not a political entity, we recognise and respect all political entities. “It is our role as Highlanders to educate and encourage people to take part in national events such as Independence Day and others.” “We are glad that we have a mining project going on. We are in the process of making sure it pays us. “When we met the president we were going to thank him for a number of things he has done for us.” Dynamos has met the presidency on a number of occasions too. We gifted him a cow in appreciation for his role in ensuring our deal with Sakunda Holdings persists
14 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE The 90s transfer that could have shot Peter Ndlovu to global stardom Nsukuzonke shares how he chose loyalty over glory O n 14 March 1995 Peter Ndlovu scored a hattrick at Anfield as he led Coventry City to a 3-2 win over giants Liverpool in a jaw dropping show that was yet to be witnessed at the historic site. Already basking in glory of being the first African to play in the rebranded English Premier League, the Flying Elephant as they fondly called him, witnessed a steep rise in his stock. This was a boy plucked from a dusty high density suburb in Bulawayo, Makokoba, upstaging the legendary Ian Rush, star attraction Robbie Fowler and Steve MacManaman under tutelage of Roy Evans. Flapping his thin hands in a seemingly oversized Sky Blue kit, Ndlovu had reintroduced himself, throwing himself right in the middle of a room full of superstars. “Ndlovu exposes Liverpool’s flaws,” screamed the Daily Telegraph on the 15th, detailing how he had made the day his, to set a record that was only broken 14 years later by Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin when the Gunners It is a privilege for me to have been spotted by Arsenal who inquired about me then but at that time I was very happy at Coventry
15 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE forced a 4-4 draw at the same stadium. Such is the magnitude of Ndlovu’s record it has only been equalled by one other, Leandro Trossard when he forced a 3-3 draw at Anfield in October 2022, some 27 years after it was set. After dismantling Liverpool, it was not surprising that the 22-year-old attracted attention from the bigger guns of English football. Arsenal came knocking, Anfield considered him and so did other top sides. Ndlovu could have traded Highfield Road Stadium for Highbury but the stars were not in line; Nsukuzonke, as Zinbabweans called him for his goalscoring prowess, chose loyalty over glory. “There were a lot links at that time because when you are young and you are doing your stuff well a lot of teams will come for you,” Ndlovu told bhorafrika.com “It is a privilege for me to have been spotted by Arsenal who inquired about me then but at that time I was very happy at Coventry. “It was early days in my time there and I was still transforming having cone from Africa into the big league. “There was an inquiry about me at that time but I did say I would like to learn more, There were a lot of links at that time because when you are young and you are doing your stuff well a lot of teams will come for you to build my game, my profile and I eventually established myself at Coventry.” Scottish Gaffer Bruce Rioch managed Arsenal at the time. Ndlovu could have played alongside Goalkeeper David Seaman, Ian Wright and Dennis Bergkamp who had joined in the January transfer window. It was no surprise that Arsenal led the race to sign him, Ndlovu’s first goal in English football was at Highbury early in his first season following a sensational move from local giants Highlanders. John Sillet’s gamble to sign the two time local Soccer Star of the Year on the whim, proved a worthy one for Coventry City manager Terry Butcher. Added Ndlovu: “When those opportunities came well afterwards I was still happy at Coventry.” He scored 39 goals for the Sky Blues over his time there and a total exceeding 90 during his stints at lower sides Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United.
16 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE Sengezo Tshabangu: A fter “singlehandedly” dismantling Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) including Parliamentary recalls of over a dozen legislators from Bulawayo, very few had expected Sengezo Tshabangu to be strutting freely. Well he is, and the love he is receiving is unmatched. An expected manhunt and anything in-between has been replaced by hugs, photo opportunities and show of love from what the self-styled Secretary General described as the Highlanders family. “This feels good, I feel loved, I feel part of the Bosso family. “These are the people who have made me who I am today, who we all are today,” said Tshabangu after spending the better part of half time at Barbourfields Stadium being called on for photos. Tshabangu was part of the thousands rallying behind Bosso against Simba Bhora and watched the blockbuster Battle of Zimbabwe that kicked off the 2024 season. He has fast become a regular and popular figure at Barbourfields Stadium’s VIP Stand, where he sits among club legends, ordinary folk and the who is who of Bulawayo vibrant social scene. There was neither a hint of fear in Tshabangu’s eyes nor bodyguards in case violence broke out when bhorafrika. com spoke to him. His demeanour was indeed of someone at home. His primary focus, Bosso and recently re-appointed Head Coach Kelvin Kaindu whom he believes will take the club to their first Castle Lager premiership title since 2006, some 18 years back. He added: “I am very happy about how things are panning out at Highlanders. You know Kaindu just came back and the boys are doing well. “I was very happy we beat Dynamos and believe we have a shot at winning the title this season.” Highlanders beat Dynamos 2-1 at Barbourfields, Kaindu’s first win over the Harare giants since his first stint at Bosso between 2012 and 2014. The win also reignited hope of finally landing the title after failing to maintain momentum, following a 19 match unbeaten run last season under Portuguese Gaffer Baltermar Brito. Opposition politics’ villain finds love at Barbourfields Stadium These are the people who have made me who I am today, who we all are today
17 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE “Even if we were to play against Bayern, we would hold our heads high” T he last time Dynamos wore an Adidas strip they dominated local football, laying claim to almost all trophies which were up for grabs under legendary Coach Kallistp Pasuwa. Highlanders, despite playong second fiddle and failing to win the title then, gave eventual champions a run for it. Two things have repeated themselves jn the past months, Zambian expatriate Kelvin Kaindu who was in charge of Amahlolanyama during that period is back amd so is Adidas. Dynamos and Highlanders received their Adidas kits from principal sponsor Sakunda at a lavish ceremony held in the capital and Captains from both teams just can’t stop speaking about them. Besides what football fans have seen them wearing, DeMbare and Bosso each have a truckload of sportswear, travelling gear, boots, snickers and winter wear to use over this year. “The kit is beautiful and you can tell by how fans are already asking for the replicas. “Adidas is a leading supplier of sportswear, donning it has an impact on how we also feel about ourselves getting onto the pitch. “We could just be the smartest team in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League by miles thanks to our sponsors Sakunda and Better Brands.” ARIEL SIBANDA
18 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE FRANK MAKARATI “Our 2024 kit from Adidas is superb. “The quality cannot be compared locally and even if we were to be given a chance to play against teams such as Bayern Munich we would stand with our heads held high. “We cannot wait to see our fans wearing the replicas when they are eventually delivered. “We are grateful to Sakunda and Adidas for this.”
19 www.bhorafrika.com BHORAFRIKA MAGAZINE John Zhuwawu has been a revelation for Herentals in the past three games. Having been largely used from the bench by Herentals last season, he has managed to ensure a spot in the team’s first XI, contributing a goal and two assists in three games.
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