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Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
ONE of the finest footballers to emerge from Manicaland, Webster Kurwasimba, feels all the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One teams based in Mutare should come together to form on strong outfit that can have staying power in the Castle Lager Premiership. The Tanganda legend believes Mutare City Rovers, Tenax and Buffaloes must form one team that can represent Mutare in the top-flight league.

Kurwaisimba, just like many analysts here, feel football in Mutare has been left poorer owing to self-seeking tendencies that have seen teams in the city standing in the way of the other in their quest to win Premiership promotion.

Mutare City Rovers, Tenax and Buffaloes are leading the Eastern Region Division One race for promotion in that order.

“I think it is high time that key stakeholders in football come to a round table and unite in their quest to have consistent top-flight league action in Mutare.

“It is of no use that we continue to have teams competing against each other and spoiling the other’s chances of getting promoted to the Premiership.

‘’They should just come together and get the best of administrators, coaches and players from the teams in Division One to form one strong outfit.

“That should be the starting point. It is disheartening to note that Mutare, as big as it is, does not have a team in the Premiership.

‘’It is not only about the size of the city or the province but also the talented players that we all know have been produced there. We all know that there are lots of talented players from that side who end up playing in places far away (from home) because there is too much individualism (in Mutare),” said Kurwaisimba.

Nicknamed “Beefy’’ by some, while others called him ‘’Schwarzenegger’’, the big forward was part of the Tanganda Castle Cup winning team that beat CAPS United in a nail-biting penalty shootout lottery after both teams had remained deadlocked.

He was at the peak of a football career that blossomed when he joined Tanganda in 1987 and left to join Black Mambas the following year where he spent one season before he returned to the Mutare outfit in 1989 as they joined the top-flight league.

Kurwaisimba, who charmed many fans of his game with his talent and long range goals, remains a legend in this city and province.

“After having formed one strong team, a feeder club can then be formed and join the Eastern Region Division One,’’ he said.

‘’Its main duty would be to feed talented players into the top-flight league side representing Manicaland in the Premiership.

“Without that we will continue seeing teams being promoted and relegated. It is not good for football in that region.

‘’It is also not good for those youngsters who would want to showcase their talents at the highest level in the country (in their backyard).’’

Kurwaisimba rose to become a household name in domestic football playing alongside the likes of Mutare legends such as the talismanic Kudzanai ‘’Kwetsu’’ Kadzirange, agile goalminder Spencer Ngove, the nimble-footed Jimmy Kapitau, the slippery Lloyd ‘’Samaita’’ Mutasa, Nyasha Nyamhiwa, Farai ‘’Mavhuna Zatando’’ Mudare, the skilful Matondo brothers Ian and Cliff and Darlington Machuwaire among many others.

Kurwaisimba, who is now part of backroom staff at Township Rollers in Gaborone, Botswana, said he believes he could have been a hit with the Warriors.

“I still feel that if I had been given enough attention and consideration I would have made it in the national team at one point but it appears our system in Zimbabwe only has eyes for those in Harare and Bulawayo turning out for big clubs.

“My heart bleeds for smaller towns like Mutare. Mutare to me is like the home of football. Many exceptionally talented players are raised in Mutare but the problem is that Mutare is looked down upon.

“Only if there could be someone who can stand firm in promoting soccer in Manicaland, maybe people in the bigger cities will recognise the talent Mutare has in football,” said Kurwaisimba.