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Grace Chingoma

Senior Sports Reporter

AS players, they were vastly different.

Madinda Ndlovu was quick and energetic. They called him Khathazile.

Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa was elegant and made football look easy.

Madinda bustled his way into the opposition goal area from the wing earning himself the nickname “Khathazile” (loosely translating into the one who brings worries/troubles). On the other hand, Mutizwa made time stand still as he picked his pinpoint passes to strikers.

He was the symbol of calmness on the field, making chest controls and delicate flicks look so easy.

The two Zimbabwean football legends will face each other as coaches for the first time since they rubbed shoulders in the Warriors’ colours.

Ndlovu, who is the first assistant at Highlanders, was in charge of the opening match against ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields. Mutizwa is the head coach at Black Rhinos, a club he featured prominently for after making a move from CAPS United, where he built his legend status.

The Bosso head coach Baltemar Britto has gone for a refresher course for his UEFA A licence.

And on Saturday, Ndlovu will meet his former national teammate Mutizwa at the National Sports Stadium when Black Rhinos host the Bulawayo giants.

Mutizwa yesterday reflected on his heydays in the national team where he played with the oldest of the famed Ndlovu brothers.

“We have never crossed paths in our coaching careers. We played alongside in the national team and we were friends. Sometimes, I would remain in Bulawayo after games and go to Madinda’s place, and Peter was still a young boy.

“I expect Highlanders under him to be tough and competitive, just like he was. I am sure he will try to groom one or two players to play like him,” said Mutizwa.

Mutizwa, who is regarded as one of the best-attacking midfielders to emerge in Zimbabwe, says Madinda was a special talent.

“Madinda was full of speed and was a good dribbler playing on the right and left wing. I still remember the national team match we played in Ethiopia and another one in Egypt which was a World Cup qualifier.

“Madinda featured in the Cairo game and his effort spectacularly hit the bar and it was supposed to be a goal. We lost that game 1-0 but he had a brilliant performance and terrorised the Egyptian defenders.

“In Ethiopia, it was the CECAFA Cup and I think we reached the finals but lost to the hosts Ethiopia. I played alongside Madinda in that game,” said Mutizwa.

However, the two legends will reminisce about the good old days after the final whistle as they battle for points with their respective teams this coming weekend.

Mutizwa says they are wary of Bosso but their home record against the Bulawayo side is good.

“Highlanders are another worrisome team. Previously, playing at home we would always beat them and then away we would lose or sometimes win,” said Mutizwa.

Highlanders would be seeking maximum points after they opened their 2023 campaign with a draw against ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields.

Meanwhile, on a sad note, Black Rhinos player Marcus Mapunhure, who was hit by a car in the CBD on his way to training last Friday and succumbed to injuries the following day at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, was yesterday laid to rest at Zororo Memorial Cemetery.

The club joined other mourners as they bade farewell to the young player who had a promising future and had fully attested into the army.

Mutizwa said they were saddened by the passing on of their player.

“He was just coming from military training and we trained with him during the pre-season up to his time of death. May His Soul Rest in Peace,” said Mutizwa.

And the Premier Soccer League has released fixtures for match day two and the league fathers have fixtured Yadah to play at Baobab this Sunday.

The league fathers would be rotating some Harare teams to play at the Mhondoro Ngezi facility.

On Monday, the National Sports Stadium had a double header with Yadah playing Green Fuel in a midday kick-off and the army sides Cranborne Bullets and Black Rhinos later engaging in a 3pm kick-off.

Yadah will make a short trip to Mhondoro on Sunday where they play Hwange at Baobab. On Monday, ZPC Kariba will host Bulawayo Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium.

Fixtures

Saturday: Ngezi Platinum V CAPS United (Baobab, 1 pm), FC Platinum v Cranborne Bullets (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Simba Bhora (Luveve), Black Rhinos v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium), Green Fuel v Herentals College (Gibbo).

Sunday: Dynamos v Sheasham (National Sports Stadium), Manica Diamonds v Triangle United (Gibbo), Yadah v Hwange (Baobab).

Monday: ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo Chiefs (National Sports Stadium).