Zimpapers Logo

Tadious Manyepo in JOHANNESBURG, South Africa

A host of former Zimbabwean footballers based in South Africa have not taken up professional careers around the game.

Some are into transport and logistics business while others have become industry technocrats.

But they are still united by the game which sustained themselves back in their heyday.

It is 2:30pm last Saturday and a lot of familiar faces are trickling into Greek Sports Club in the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Former Black Rhinos star Robson Chisango, who is now coaching SuperSport United Juniors and ex-Orlando Pirates man Innocent Chikoya arrive first.

Edelbert Dinha, Mpumelelo Dzowa, Method Mwanjali and others follow.

These legends form an all-Zimbabwe team called Four Ways and they are up against Thembisa FC in this well-organised social league.

Afterwards, Dzowa rushes somewhere where he will be the Master of Ceremony during a relative’s birthday celebrations.

The rest remain behind and for more than two hours, they are together sharing drinks and talking football.

“As former Zimbabwe footballers based in South Africa, we decided to come together and play football as we have done all our lives,” said Chisango.

“We are in a foreign land and we need to be each other’s keeper.

“We always gather around during weekends, play football and then share our problems around a drink afterwards.

“This helps us a lot. I am sure every member of this group has benefitted in one way or the other from these gatherings.

“We stay fit and by the way most of us still have the touch although we have become slower in terms of execution.

“There are a lot of programs we are planning aimed at helping football back home grow to where it used to be”.

Chisango recently retraced his footsteps back into football after over 10 years working as an accounting clerk with a South African company.

Two months after securing a coaching job at SuperSport, he is now pursuing his CAF B badges in Zambia.

For Chikoya, who is into junior development with FC Leapers Academy, the weekend gatherings are handy.

“I started FC Leapers Academy with my late friend and legend of the game Charles Johane. Unfortunately my friend died but I am still carrying the dream,” said Chikoya.

“We have nurtured so many stars of the game with some of our products playing in the South African Premiership.

“This gathering of football legends helps us a lot. We share ideas and give each other assurance and reassurances.

“Most of my youngsters are also recommended to me by these legends”.

The legends’ cause is being largely helped by South Africa-based Zimbabwean funeral services company Zororo-Phumulani which has struck a partnership with them.

The company is responsible for putting together all logistical requirements and also sponsors tournaments between the different legends teams from different areas in South Africa.

Not only that.

The company has also opened free funeral policies for each of the legends with at least a single cap with the Warriors.

Over the years, the legends have been struggling to live decently in South Africa with some of them given paupers’ burial.

But the company, which helped bury Edzai Kasinauyo, Butler Masango and Johane is now covering policies for all legends of the game who have been capped at least once by the national team.

Dinha, who also owns an academy in South Africa said the initiative has further cemented the relations between former players. “Zororo-Phumulani Funeral Services has been the glue that has been holding us together.

“Besides playing football, we have been able to approach some companies who have come aboard like Zororo-Phumulani,” said Dinha.

“Football is the common denominator here. We gather here or elsewhere every weekend for football and we get to help each other in every way be it social, financial or material. We look after one another well”.

Zororo-Phumulani chief marketing manager Tendai Mangoti said his company decided to chip in after noticing the legends’ organised structures.

“We are Zimbabweans and always look after one another. We have partnered the legends whereupon we have offered everyone based in South Africa who has played for the Warriors at least once a free funeral cover,” said Mangoti.

“Our legends played a key role to bringing our football to where it is now. We really need to honour them. We need to ensure that they benefit from some of the services we offer as a company.

“We also support them in all their football endeavours which keep them together”