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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
THEY are the boys who were born in the year Zimbabwe attained its independence and, 35 years down the line, they are still in the trenches of domestic football. Buffaloes’ Shepherd Nkatha, Flame Lily goalkeeper Earnmore Hamandishe, Highlanders Njabulo Nyoni, the Triangle duo of Chastein Ngondonga and Edmund Chimhini, Whawha’s Malvern Nyakabangwe and How Mine’s Menard Mupera are some of the Premiership players that were born in 1980. Centre back Ngondonga says he is a twin of his nation.

“I share a birthday with my country and it is something to be proud of, to be born at a time the country was celebrating its independence,” he said.

“Thirty five years is a quite a long time and by now Zimbabwe, as a country, should be featuring regularly at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

“Sadly, we are still struggling to qualify.” The defender, who has played for FC Victoria in the ZIFA Eastern Region and is winding down his career at the Lowveld side, also feels the Uhuru Cup should embrace all the league teams.

“It would have been more exciting if the Independence Cup has all the teams taking part and everyone gets to celebrate by participating,” he said.

Triangle assistant goalkeepers’ coach, Edmund Chimhini, who is also registered to play, says he is glad to have been born in the same year as his country.

“We want the country to remain independent and to continue enjoying the freedom. As usual, I celebrated the day with my family, just having fun.

“In our football, we would love to have more sponsors coming in so that we have many Cup tournaments.

“If you look last year, we had two knock-out tournaments — the One Wallet Cup and the Chibuku Cup — but we need more tournaments.”

The veteran goalie, who has seen duty with Lancashire Steel, Highway FC and Eagles before joining Triangle, is planning to become a fully-fledged coach, once he retires

“I would love this year to be fruitful for us and, maybe, we can win the league and other trophies that would be on offer,” said Chimhini. “We have a good start so far. We are working hard as a team. We have unity in the team. We are following the coach’s instructions and the coach has the ability to unlock the value in the team.

“In the near future I want to be a full-time coach.”

Forgotten midfielder, Malvern Nyakabangwe, who made a surprise return to the top-flight with newboys Whahwa, says it has been a long journey since the country attained its independence.

“I had been coaching Division One club GMB Silo Kwekwe as an assistant player/coach and Whahwa coach Luke Petros felt I could assist his boys as he felt I still have what it takes and I joined the club when the season began,” said Nyakabangwe.