Mutare-born star relives memorable duel with Douglas Mloyi
BERNARD Kuwana was a striker through and through. Unlike some players who tried a hand in goalkeeping, defence or midfield before discovering their area of specialty, Kuwana was a natural striker and specialised in that.
He was born in Tsonzo Clinic in 1960, Mutare. His love of soccer started when he was playing street football. At the time signs of a striker were manifesting.
From Sakubva Primary School to St John’s Secondary School he was part of the school soccer teams and shone like a beacon. Before long at the age of 15, his telling talent was noticed by Chibuku Shumba scouts who quickly grabbed him up in 1975.
He became a key member of the squad forming a formidable force with players like, Bruce Grobbelaar, Posani Sibanda, Fresh Chamarenga, Peter Manyara. Billy Sharman, Simon Mudzudzu, Zoom Rambai, David Muchineripi, Bernard Dzingai, Stephen Chuma,Wisdom Mutemanjiri, Byron Manuel, Alwyn Hagen Charlse Gwazvo, Naza Mupingo, Phil McCarthy.
The Highfield (Harare) based side (Chibuku Shumba) was under the mentorship of Jack Meager who was ably assisted by John Garatsa. He says Sunday Marimo (now Chidzambwa) and Wonder Chisetera joined shortly after them.
He had a dance with Chibuku Shumba for a season. That red-hot Chibuku Shumba under lined their fine performances with a league title.
“We won the league title in 1975 as a result we played in the Caf Champions league. But I was not part of the travelling squad because I failed to acquire a passport on time,” he revealed.
But the side suffered an early Premiership exit as the sponsor withdrew.
But being a man endowed with massive talent he joined another Highfield side — Black Aces in 1977 and quickly acclimatised to the side’s settings. Black Aces was popularly known by its motto — Shaisa Mufaro. At Black Aces he played alongside David Muchineripi, Clever Hunda, Fresh Chamarenga, Wonder Chisetera, July Sharara, Peter Manyara, Booker Muchenu, Charlse Gwazvo, Rodrick Muganhiri, Byron Manuel and Daniel Chikanda.
The year 1977 goes down as his best year in Black Aces colours as helped the side in landing Nyore Nyore shield and BAT Rosebowl Cup.
But he reveals that the journey to Cup double was not a stroll in the park.
“We had to do drills for long hours and we also had to engage in marathons. The strenuous efforts paid dividends because we landed the two Cups Nyore Nyore Cup and BAT Rosebowl Cup,”Kuwana says.
He revealed that the most difficult opponent was Highlanders’ defensive king pin Douglas “British” Mloyi.
In describing Mloyi he said: “He was good in air and on the ground. He was very athletic, hard and fair tackler. As such I knew that when our side was clashing against Highlanders he would give me a headache.”
One of the things that invoke bitter memories was a derby between his side and Arcadia United. He squarely levels the accusation on the referee.
“One of the matches that bring sad memories was when we played Arcadia United at Rufaro Stadium. What did not go down well with us was that the referee was biased against us. And we had to play that match under protest. The last straw was when Sunday controlled the soccer ball with his chest but the referee judged it as a hand ball and gave Arcadia United a penalty,” he reveals.
One of his worst matches was losing against Rio Tinto in 1977 BAT Rosebowl final.
“A late winner by Robert Godoka sunk us but the most hurtful part was when Wonder Chisetera was pulled back by a shirt in the penalty area but the referee Peter Biddulph waved a played on,” he laments.
After serving Black Aces with distinction the forward joined State House Tornados which was owned by the first Zimbabwean President Canaan Banana. How was the culture of the team? He says: “It was a different experience. The type of discipline expected was different from other clubs. His style of leadership was a combination of military and civilian skills. I also cherished interacting with Head of State and having football meetings with him was a good experience. He also had a hand in the acquisition of players and at times will go with scouts to lure the prospective player that he wanted.”
He stayed for a season with the side after soccer he was appointed the Secretary General of the team. At the same time he was pursuing studies at University of Zimbabwe (UZ) however, due to demanding work schedule he had to throw in the towel in 1985. He dedicated his time at MHG Goldschmidt as a project manager and was also auditing of the company.
During his leisure time he turned to social soccer, there he played alongside former greats such Batsirai Jambga, Godfrey Muchineripi and Duncan Ellison. A vacancy for a chairmanship arose at Black Aces; he applied and secured the job. He left to stay and work in United Kingdom. Commenting on Zimbabwean soccer Kuwana did not mince his words saying the Ministry of Sport should invest in soccer.
“The Ministry of Sport should pour funds towards the development of soccer. The focus should start with National Association Primary School Heads (Naph) and National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) and should provide financial aid to strategic academies,” he says.
He is 59 years old. He is married to Patience the couple has been blessed with two children.