Hwange: A goalkeeping conveyor belt
THE country’s largest game reserve is situated in Hwange, and perhaps this is probably how this town earned its international acclaim.
Hwange National Park is home to over 50 000 elephants and covers an area that is almost the size of Belgium.
Zimbabwe’s high-profile football player Marvelous Nakamba of Premier League side Aston Villa traces his roots to this coal-mining town, which is also known for its extremely hot temperatures. However, Hwange is also credited for producing one of the most talented goal-minders to emerge from Zimbabwe — Posani Sibanda (late). The legendary Sibanda, a former national team keeper in the 1970s, was part of the crack Hwange side that won the 1973 Castle Cup after stunning a George Shaya-led Dynamos in what still remains a memorable conquest for the people of Matabeleland North.
Antony Nakamba, Johannes Tshuma, Chenjerai Dube, Witness Munkuli and Timothy Sibanda are some of the keepers who were either produced at Hwange or passed through the mill at the colliery. Dynamos keeper Taimon Mvula, who is arguably one of the most trusted pair of hands in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, honed his skills at Hwange.
The promising Takabva Mawaya, who impressed at ZPC Kariba before moving to Triangle United, is a product of Hwange.
National Under-17 goal-minder Joseph Kaunda also hails from the town.
Hwange’s seemingly consistent production line is back into perspective following Petros Mhari’s exploits for Zimbabwe at the ongoing African Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.
Mhari was in fine form in Zimbabwe’s 0-1 loss to Senegal in a Group B opener on Monday and won plaudits from as far as England, where the BBC described his performance as “impressive”.
Former South Africa national team goalie Andre Arendse was one of the high-profile football personalities who also hailed Mhari during a SuperSport programme, Masterplan.
Although Mhari shot to national prominence at domestic league champions FC Platinum, it was Hwange which set the stage for the goalkeeper to shine and convince Pure Platinum Play, who are now dominating the local scene, to sign him.
The 32-year-old spent five seasons in Hwange between 2009 and 2013.
Its team might be languishing in the Southern Region Division One League following their relegation from the top-flight in 2017, but locals have something to cheer about.
The 33rd edition of the AFCON finals has a Hwange touch to it, thanks to Mhari’s connection with “Chipangano”.
“The last time we had a keeper from Hwange Football Club representing the national team was back in the early 2000s, when Chenjerai Dube was still at his peak.
“It’s good that Mhari has reminded us that as little a club Hwange are, they can also nurture or produce a keeper good enough to play at the AFCON finals,” said former Hwange keeper Munkuli. He, too, also benefited from this trusted conveyor belt, as he ended up at CAPS United, where he won two straight league titles in 2004 and 2005.
“Mhari has reminded us of the legendary Posani Sibanda, the first keeper from Hwange to play for the national team.
“Hwange has been put on the international map by Mhari’s exploits, because commentators at AFCON will obviously mention Hwange as part of Mhari’s football history,” said Munkuli, who now trains goalkeepers in Warren Park, Harare. Hwange football legend Weekly Mwale speaks highly of the effect Posani Sibanda had on goalkeepers in the mining town.
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