‘Hadebe must fly Zim flag at Chiefs’
KAIZER Chiefs legend Tinashe Nengomasha has urged Teenage Hadebe to not only do well for himself at Amakhosi, but to also inspire fellow Zimbabweans to play for the club.
The announcement by the Glamour Boys of signing the centreback, 21, was met with scepticism by Chiefs’ fans, as a number of Hadebe’s countrymen – from Ovidy Karuru to Michelle Katsvairo and Edmore Chirambadare – have failed to shine at Chiefs lately.
“It is a big responsibility for him, because there are some guys who have come from Zimbabwe and didn’t set the stage alight‚” Nengomasha‚ who serves as the ambassador for the Best Brew League, Castle’s five-aside tournament‚ said.
“Hadebe must understand the situation he is in.
“He has to redeem things for us – and pave the way for youngsters back home who aspire to play for Chiefs.
“If he does well‚ Kaizer Chiefs will believe that we still have the quality.
“If you look in the past‚ you have a number of players who came from Zimbabwe and shone at Chiefs.
“You can go as far back as the days of Mike Maringa‚ Robson Muchichwa and [Ebson] Sugar Muguyo.
“When I started at Chiefs‚ I was told about Muguyo by most people in the club.
“Hadebe must carry that responsibility of raising the Zimbabwean flag.”
The irony in the outcry of Chiefs signing another Zimbabwean, is that Hadebe is the elite club’s best buy so far.
Hadebe‚ who stands at almost 2m‚ is comfortable with the ball at his feet and is strong aerially – and he scores.
He could be the perfect replacement for Tefu Mashamaite in the Amakhosi team.
But he first has to get over the stigma that Zimbabweans have when they join Chiefs‚ of being seen as part of “a buy one, get one free bargain”.
“I’m someone who has a different belief‚ negativity inspires me‚” Nengomasha said.
“If someone says something negative‚ I want to go out there and prove a point.
“Okay‚ you can go out there and buy one and get another one for free, because of me.
“I am the one who is making them buy one and get one free – because I am doing well.
“At the end of the day‚ Hadebe must not take the negativity to heart.
“He needs to show to these people that he is worth it.
“The team has invested in his talent,” Nengomasha said.
“I know Hadebe very well. He is a good player.
“But at the end of the day, this is Kaizer Chiefs that he has joined. He must stamp his authority and make sure he contributes towards the team’s effort to reclaim the glory.”