Eight not out for Themba
FOR 38-year-old defender Themba Ndlovu, winning the championship with Manica Diamonds could be the final piece of the jigsaw in a long career that has seen him turn out for eight Premier Soccer League clubs in 14 years.
Ndlovu has won the championship medal twice with Motor Action (2010) and Dynamos (2014).
But the Manica Diamonds veteran skipper feels a third one with the “Gem Boys” could be the sweetest.
The centre-back started his top-flight career at Eastern Lions in 2008 before turning into a“journeyman”who would go on to play for Motor Action, Buffaloes, Chapungu, Mutare City Rovers, Dynamos, Harare City and now Manica Diamonds.
He is a vital cog at the diamond miners, who have been one of the fairytale stories of the 2021-2022 PSL season so far.
They led the log standings in the early rounds of the marathon, even handing fancied CAPS United their biggest defeat (6-2) in the history of the Premiership.
Manica Diamonds were then dislodged by Chicken Inn, who have since been deposed from the summit by Dynamos.
Johanisi Nhumwa’s side are, however, still among the top-four after 10 rounds of action and are the current top-scorers with 21 goals.
Three of them came in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium a fortnight ago, before they were then restricted to a 0-0 draw by Bulawayo Chiefs at Sakubva Stadium last weekend.
This is the kind of start that has led some into putting their money on Manica Diamonds to be one of the favourites to challenge for the championship this year.
No team from Manicaland has won the championship.
The province is still unsurprisingly reminiscing about its finest hour when Tanganda won the Castle Cup in 1993.
“Mutare is home, yet teams from this part of the country have not won the Premier Soccer League title,” a worried Ndlovu told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“I have won so many accolades with teams from outside Mutare, so I told myself I needed to face this new challenge and probably win something for Manica Diamonds and the community.”
The“Gem Boys”are unbeaten in their last six matches, although their point return rate has dipped in their last three outings.
They have drawn their last four games, raking in 20 points in 11 matches.
With seasoned players Timire Mamvura, Brian Chikwenya, Liberty Chakoroma, Pasca Manhanga, Lloyd Katongomara, Xolani
Moyo and former Dynamos, Triangle and Black Rhinos keeper Ashley Reyners and Ndlovu, Manica Diamonds look balanced.
They also have a good attacking line that is powered by Nyasha Chintuli, who has nine goals to his name so far.
The versatile Talent “Fadiga” Chamboko has also been regularly providing goals.
“We have a strong team for real. We only need to keep focused and take it one game at a time.
“Nothing is impossible with God. “We just need to keep grinding results then look at the log standings later.
“We thank God for what we have achieved so far but we still need to do more. It’s a process and we keep learning and improving by each passing game,’’ Ndlovu said.
He rallied his team to be consistent.
“Let’s just hope we keep doing well so that we make people of Manicaland happy at the end of the season.
“The good thing is we are enjoying our game; we just need to keep concentrating on our job.”
Ndlovu has seen a lot in football. He played CAF Champions League football with Motor Action in 2011.
Three years later, he was voted a Soccer Star of the Year finalist after a stellar season with 2014 champions Dynamos.
He was also part of Zimbabwe’s squad that reached the semi-finals at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa. He also won the 2015 Chibuku Super Cup with Harare City.
“It’s all about hard work and taking care of myself and my body.
“Mine has been a long career indeed. My first club in the top-flight was Eastern Lions but my first championship was with Motor Action in 2010.
“The special moment was when I won the second league title with Dynamos in 2014 and I was also voted amongst the best eleven players of that season.
“Being on the Soccer Stars of the Year calendar was just awesome. I thank God for that and also the fact that I have had an injury-free career.
“It’s hard to be a leader because you have to make sure everyone in the team is happy and there is order. Above all, unity and teamwork is key.”
Ndlovu was born in Bulawayo but was raised in Kadoma, the Mashonaland West town that is famed for producing legendary centre-backs like Ephert Lungu, Kaitano Tembo and the late Watson Muhoni, who both made their names at Rio Tinto and Dynamos.
Today, Ndlovu and his defence will be put to the test by a rejuvenated Dynamos whom they visit at the National Sports Stadium.