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YESTERYEAR STARS . . . Stanford ‘’Stix’’ Mtizwa (left, standing), the late Johnson “Enzo’’ Mbaradza (centre), the late Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma and Max Chisakuwana (kneeling) during a coaching clinic conducted by Roy Bareto at Eagles Training Centre in Harare in 1995

Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
THE football fraternity in Mutare will come together on Friday to remember one of its own supertars, the late Johnson “Enzo’’ Mbaradza, 20 years after he died in a tragic accident at Dangamvura link road.

Apart from the Under-17 teams that will battle it out in the inaugural edition of the tournament, football icons who have links to Mutare — including Lloyd “Samaita’’ Mutasa, Ephraim Chawanda, Lazarus “Mali’’ Muhoni, Kennedy Suwari, Emmanuel Maluwa, Arnold Tsunga, Chisingaitwi Mudefi, Taurai Makukutu, Dananai Chinowawa, Eddie Dube, Eddie Nyika, Shepherd Nkata and Peter Masibera — are expected to feature at the event.

Mbaradza, a gritty defensive midfielder during his playing days, died in a car crash on December 9, 1997.

The tournament starts on Friday and ends the next day. South Africa-based Mutare football benefactor, James “Hwetu’’ Meya, who is managing a number of players from his hometown plying their trade in the domestic Premiership, has since donated a kit, 20 balls and 30 bibs towards the prizes to be won during the tournament.

Former Tanganda player and prominent legal practitioner Arnold Tsunga and Mai Hondo tournament organiser Blessing Mutsaka have also handed donations toward the tournament.

Spokesperson for the tournament, Panganai Mbaradza, the son of the late Johnson, said all was set for the tournament. “We are excited to announce that all is set for the tournament. The response has been great given the prevailing harsh economic conditions.

“We got a lot of support from people he played football with, as well as those he coached, who include James Lunga Meya. We really appreciate that help.

“The tournament kicks off on Friday, with preliminary round matches being played at various centres across Sakubva.

The finals will be played at Sakubva on Saturday,” said Mbaradza.

Preliminary round matches will be at Sakubva Primary, Sports Oval, Rural Camp Sakubva and Chisamba Ground.

Matches start at 8am. Veteran Mutare football coach James Muhala, who guided the late Mbaradza from an early age until his untimely death, praised the initiative.

“I think this is a brilliant initiative. Johnson and others such as the Matondo brothers Cliff and Ian deserve such recognition and respect.

“They gave us something to look forward to every weekend at Sakubva Stadium.

“However, I think this should have involved Premiership teams and not juniors. Yes, involving juniors is good for the development of talent, but the calibre of the player we are talking about deserved top-flight league teams.

“He was a great player. He was a kind of player that one would hardly notice because he did all the donkey work and made others shine,” he said.

Meya, who was coached by the late Mbaradza, said it was an honour to have known and be coached by him.

“For us, though at a younger age, it was an honour and privilege to have met one of greatest coaches of my time, Mbaradza. “He was not just a coach, he was a leader, a role model who made us what we are today.

“We will always love and cherish him. “I remember how heartbroken we were when we received the news of his death. He was a coach whom when you meet you will never be the same again,” said Meya.

Muhoni spoke glowingly of the late Mbaradza.

“Johnson was a no-nonsense player, hard working, always wanted to win each game he played and he was also very encouraging to youngsters who were starting to play in the team like myself.

“He played his heart out and he was disciplined on and off the pitch even, though he played a more physical game,” said Muhoni.