TRIO HARDENED BY TOUGH BACKGROUND
A PLACE, which was created for immigrants in Highfield called PWD, appears to be a factory for hard-tackling defensive midfielders.
This place prides itself for having FC Platinum’s Hagiazo Magaya (23), Tanaka ‘Kante’ Shandirwa (24) of Dynamos and Green Fuel’s Tinotenda ‘Dhiziri’ Mutyambizi (25).
Anyone, who makes it from this apartment, is deemed amazing as it is associated with drug abuse, crime and Nyau gatherings.
Magaya missed more matches than any player at FC Platinum last season due to suspension.
He does not hold back against the so-called big players.
His aggression knows no bounds and it has given the four-time champions balance.
The Waterfalls Academy graduate has two league titles and the Chibuku Super Cup to his name.
Mutyambizi is renowned for harassing opponents in the middle of the park.
His tackles are so brutal to the point that at one time, he was blocked from playing a money game fixture at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield during off-season two years ago.
In a way, he is probably the reason Harare City failed to keep pace with Chegutu Pirates in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League battle for promotion.
He left the Sunshine Boys when they were in control of their destiny in the Division One title race to join Green Fuel, who were struggling to connect the dots in the Premiership, during the mid-season break.
After his arrival, the Chisumbanje side improved defensively and escaped relegation with ease.
His passion to win midfield tussles was key in securing Green Fuel’s survival in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
However, sometimes he crosses the line and actually missed two games due to suspension, despite joining Rodwell Dhlakama’s men just after the break.
One suspension comes after three yellow cards. Shandirwa is small in stature but he makes up for it with energetic performances.
He is deemed too dynamic for a traditional anchorman.
His battling spirit even charmed former Warriors coach, Baltemar Brito, to hand him his national team debut during a World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in November.
Magaya and Mutyambizi have also played for the Young Warriors.