A bond the mighty Zambezi failed to break
ZAMBIANS admire Zimbabweans, and the feeling is reciprocal
There is also a mutual connection between the citizens of the two countries that are separated by the Zambezi River, which, to most of the locals in Lusaka, has actually failed to divide the two nations, commonly referred to as Siamese twins.
Sporting relations have existed between the countries dating back to the pre-independence era, when the late former Dynamos star Patrick “Amato” Dzvene became the first black Rhodesian to play outside his homeland.
Dzvene joined Zambian side Ndola United in 1964.
A number of Zambian footballers also crossed the Zambezi River into Zimbabwe after the latter’s independence.
The notable names include the late Darryn T and Chipolopolo great Derby Mankinka and the Mhangura duo of Billy and Webster Chikabala.
Laughter Chilembe and Ian Bakala are credited for spurring CAPS United to backto-back Premier Soccer League championships in 2004 and 2005, while Kelvin Kaindu and Ferdinand Mwachindalo starred for Highlanders and AmaZulu, as did Sandras Kumwenda for Dynamos.
Zimbabwean players such as Ocean Mushure, Partson Jaure, Devon Chafa, Thabani Kamusoko, Tafadzwa Rusike, Takudzwa Chimwemwe and Nqobizitha Masuku have all played in the Zambian top-flight over the years.
Zimbabwe Ambassador to Zambia Charity Charamba summed up the exquisite relations that exist between the two nations.
“Zimbabwe and Zambia are like Siamese twins.
“Even if you see a Zambian and a Zimbabwean, you can’t tell who is Zimbabwean and who is Zambian; we are the same,”she said. Charamba was a special guest at a boxing tournament held at the Government
Complex in Lusaka last weekend.
Popular Zimbabwean boxer Charles Manyuchi was part of the bill and took on Donald Kampamba of Zambia in a farewell fight. “Zambia was his (Manyuchi’s) second home. He enjoyed a lot of love from Zambians here.
“The Zambians are very hospitable. We are one people.”
The ambassador also hosted Manyuchi and his entourage at her residence in Lusaka. Manyuchi, whose talent was discovered in Zimbabwe but perfected in Zambia, has announced his retirement from the sport and has already begun a trilogy of farewell fights.
He is a major beneficiary of the sporting relations between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It was at Oriental Boxing Promotions in Zambia where Manyuchi was moulded into an international champion.
He won the African Boxing Union, World Boxing Council International and World Boxing Council Silver welterweight titles under Oriental Quarries.
Perhaps that is why he broke down when he hugged his former manager Chris Malunga, moments before his fight against Kampamba.
As he walked towards the ring, Manyuchi went and knelt down before officials from Oriental Quarries, before stepping into the ring, where he hugged Malunga for almost two minutes. “It was an emotional moment, you saw that he broke down,” Malunga told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“Manyuchi is our own. You see, now he is fighting for the last time in our country. This is a boy who occupies a special place in our hearts. Charles is more popular here in Zambia. He is a superstar here more than he is in Zimbabwe.
“I was also touched and I think I need to travel to Zimbabwe, stay there for two weeks and see what he is up to with his academy because he is part of me and I am part of him,” said Malunga.
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FATHERLY . . . Blessed Mapuwa (right) relaxes in the company of his children Wellington (second from right), Washington (centre) and Winne in Harare