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Peter Manyara

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
PLAYING soccer was a passion for him since players did not get much in terms of remuneration during his prime days, but the love of the game kept him going.
Peter Manyara, the former Black Aces captain, recalls how they had to pay their fellow players when they formed Black Aces in the early 1970s after their former club Chibuku Shumba was disbanded.

Manyara began his journey in his career at an early age at Mbare’s Stodart Community Centre in Harare where they used to play soccer.
At the age of 16, he joined Rufaro Rovers Juniors and he was upgraded to the reserve side before he joined the first team in 1970 at the age of 20. The team was under the guidance of John Rugg. In 1973 he moved to Chibuku Shumba playing as a central defender under the watchful eye of Jack Meagher.

The 63-year-old said during their time, they played for the love of the sport as there was no monetary rewards in football. Players then did not have the opportunity to get as much exposure compared to current the crop which has enjoyed the benefits of the commercialised nature of the game.

“I think the time we played it was just unfortunate, there wasn’t enough money in football. We did not get enough exposure, we did not get the opportunity to play outside the country. We played (football) for the love of the sport,” said Manyara.

“The only thing that changes in football are the rules and regulations but in terms of play, I think it depends on the players that you have. We had great players for sure during our time but they did not have the exposure. There was discipline, we did not have that time to go for pleasure or night clubbing.

“I believe if I had played in this generation I would have done better than what I did,” he lamented.
Despite lack of exposure, Manyara said they had their good moments with the most memorable being their match against Dynamos during the opening of Rufaro Stadium in 1972.

“The most memorable moment I still remember is when Rufaro Stadium was opened. It was still called Number 1 Ground at that time, we played Dynamos and lost 4-1. I was still at Rufaro Rovers. Those days soccer was a multi-racial sport. We played with such players as Billy Sherman and Ben Peters. Some of the senior players were Ishmael Midian, Keith Makoni and James Chibaya.

“After Chibuku Shumba we formed Black Aces. That was between 1975 and 1976. There was no sponsorship but we as the players remained together and we formed Black Aces. Jimmy Finch was the coach and I was the captain.

“Chibuku Shumba had disbanded. We started without a sponsor, some of the players were working so we said those that were not working were the only ones that were going to be paid and we did well. We went for about 15 games without losing a match. I captained the team for four consecutive years and we won some trophies.

“We also went to Mozambique and played a team called Text Africa. I was the captain of that team and we won that match. We also won the Chibuku Trophy, the Castle Cup, the BAT Rosebowl and the Rothmans Shield.

“I was also part of the team Rhodesia Select side that played against South Africa in 1977,” said Manyara.
However, the veteran player was to leave Black Aces in 1984 to join the Airforce of Zimbabwe. He needed a secure job since he now had a family.

“After Black Aces I joined the Airforce of Zimbabwe as a soccer coach and service member. I was now married and I needed a secure job.
“They had a team called New Serum in the First Division. I was working with James Matora. New Serum later changed their name to Blue Swallows and by that time I was working with Patrick Nechironga. I stayed there for 16 years.

“We were promoted into the Premier League in 1995. We had such players as Same Chakanyuka, Dzino Chakanyuka, Chody Chirwa, Jonathan Chigwinya, Emmanuel Soche and Langton Tizola. Those were the players that got the team promoted into the league but we only lasted one year. It was a matter of forces beyond our control. We were based at Manyame Airbase by then,” said Manyara.

After Blue Swallows were demoted to the First Division, Manyara was attached to Chapungu in 1998. The club was also based at Manyame Airbase. He resigned in 2000 and took a break from football until 2010 when he got involved with the juniors in Mbare.

“After I retired from the Airforce of Zimbabwe in 2000, I took a break from soccer before I got involved with junior development in 2010. There was a league called Vision and Hope Foundation for Under-10, Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16, so I joined the league with our junior team called Beta Ball. We had teams in all the age-groups.  I was invited by Moses Chasweka.

“But at the moment I am with Runyararo which has players under the age of 25. We play in a social league in Mbare and it has been getting competitive. There are potential players who need help there,” said Manyara.

Manyara is married to Josephine and they have four children.