Remembering Blessing ‘Yogo Yogo’ Makunike: 20 years after tragic crash
On March 14, 2004 a car accident killed 5 young men at a bridge near Norton in Harare. Three of them were in their mid-20s and in prime physical condition. They were top flight footballers.
The other 2 were friends who had travelled to the match in solidarity. They burned to death while trapped in the vehicle.
The three footballers were Blessing Makunike (captain), Gary Mashoko and Shingirai Arlon, all from CAPS United. Makunike had 14 caps according to some records as a Zimbabwe international and captained the Under 23s on several occasions.
The passage of time has mellowed the broken hearts somewhat and given way to fond memories. The day before Makunike played extremely well in Bulawayo against Njube Sundowns.
On the day Broadcaster Charles Mabika on ZBC kept replaying highlights from the game just hours after the early morning car crash. Mabika clearly knew Makunike and friends were dead but was tongue tied before next of kin were informed.
He spoke somberly and cautiously leaving viewers in vain hope while fearing especially for Makunike who kept featuring in the visuals until the inevitable could be confirmed.
Through a friend in common I got to know about the next Caps United hot talent around 1996.
Born and bred in Dangamvura, Mutare, he moved to Chipinge, Kadoma then Caps United in Harare to train with the trailblazing team of 1996.
They won the won the first league title since the 1970s. Makunike was then a promising junior. I tend to speak from the angle of Makunike because I knew him personally.
Makunike stories went down in folklore in Mutare and Glen Norah where he lived. Memories are posted ranging from his exploits in soccer throughout school from primary to secondary. He was diligent in class.
In keeping with other soccer stars his journey included playing the Coca Cola Cup in secondary school.
While I try here to recite some notable events in his playing career, it is impossible to match the pace and the color of his exploits on the ball and still give a factual oversight.
Eastern TimesZim website interviewed his former schoolmate at Mutare Boys’ High Gabriel Marewangepo in the team of 1993 that hosted the Coca-Cola Schools national finals and wrote ‘he would never forget how Makunike’s brilliance on the field made him appear as a star striker. He said everyone always said he would become something special of which he did, but sadly Yogo Yogo died in his prime.’
“When he was in Form one in 1990, Makunike became captain of the Under-16 team and by the time he was in Form two, Nelson Bandura who was our player coach for the first team would use him sparingly in the first team because of his age.
“But Makunike, the next year in Form three went on to become a regular in the first team. He made me look like a star striker because of his goal assists. I would rate him (high) up there with the likes of Ronald Sibanda then…
“In 1993 he was part of the Coca Cola Schools team that hosted the national games and he was a phenomenal player to play with,” said Marewangepo.
Alois Bunjira became famous playing for Darryn Textiles before joining Caps United in 1996. In a fond message on Facebook Bunjira remembered choosing jersey number 14 after close friend Stewart Murisa chose number 15.
Prior to that Bunjira’s preferred number was 11. Bunjira explains: “When Makunike came on the scene he was given jersey number 11 and he was deputising me then (on the wing. I often told him that ‘[young man] Murisa influenced me to wear jersey number 14 but number 11 is my favorite so wear it with pride. Protect it because it is ours.”
Bunjira was exported to South Africa where he assumed his favorite number 11. Makunike grew into the position for club and country. Bunjira later returned to the national team. Jersey numbers were not officially assigned. One just picked their favourite.
Bunjira says: “Little did I know Makunike was already prepared. He quickly snatched number 11. I was busy looking for number 11. I couldn’t find it and exclaimed loudly: ‘Has anyone seen number 11?’
“Everyone just looked at Blessing, He answered: ‘Gazza, (referring Alois) that is the one I am now wearing.’ I was now the new comer making a comeback. I was just like: ‘No worries young man. Take care of the number. Remember it ours like the Caps United days.’”
“I accepted the reality the new kid on the block had arrived and I took up the random number 18. At least I had worn 18 during the All Africa games in 1995.”
Makunike’s talking was mostly done with a soccer ball at his feet. He won over fans on his forays forward. He was an exceptional talent. He was unsuccessfully trailed at Tanganda United by coach Misheck Marimo in his teens.
He failed because of his fragile frame. In the age of rampant age-cheating Makunike was honest with his birth date, January 1977.
His athleticism was impressive, not an ounce of extra calories in sight. He had an eye for a final pass. But he also had quiet games. He was comfortable as a 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11.
He joined Caps United around 1996. He would later stare relegation in the face, at least twice. Twine Phiri, new Caps United owner, recognized the asset on his hands. They made him captain after Joe Mugabe left. I often saw him in town coming from training with Lloyd Chitembwe.
His Under 23 national team of Benjani Mwaruwaru, Thulani Ncube, Obey Murefu, Joel Luphahla and Nqobizitha Ncube was the last recognizable generation of capped juniors.
Dutch Coach Clemence Westerhof was building his future team around this nucleus. Westerhof intended to usher out seniors and replace them with his Under 23 graduates.
Westerhof tried to sideline Peter Ndlovu and alienated the fan base and this created a highly toxic environment.
Makunike and Mwaruwaru were among the first to be promoted. Desmond Maringwa skipped the Under 23’s and got promotion. He was already playing for Dynamos. Maringwa’s technical abilities were outstanding.
Ushering out a recognizable and experienced generation was a thankless task as Fabisch and Westerhof realized. He was a good coach and had coached Nigeria’s teams. His assistant Jo Bonfrere later won Olympic gold with the Nigerians.
Westerhof led Zimbabwe in a final qualifying game against Eritrea at home. They needed a clear 4-0 margin and results elsewhere to go their way.
The performance was disappointing and he blamed his experienced players. He needed a 4 goal winning margin within 45 minutes. Who would he turn to? Makunike and Mwaruwaru, juniors with a huge following.
What happened afterwards was a Makunike Masterclass. He brought the ground to life. Unlike his usual runs on the wing towards goal he dribbled past a bunch of Eritreans in midfield and kept dribbling and dominating in a more central role.
The 4 goal margin was realized. But results elsewhere did not got the Warriors way. The permutations disappointed again. All very familiar for the Warriors back then. He played in 14 senior internationals. His first was at 21.
One can only imagine a midfield of Makunike with Esrom Nyandoro and Tinashe Nengomasha. The latter would surely have provided the midfield defensive base for Makunike’s attacks. Of course, there was Ronald Sibanda already. Makunike’s forays tended to play in a more advanced role.
Tracing back his life back to the streets of Dangamvura, Mutare, Makunike prepared for a lifetime of explosive match days. It was all very promising.
As much as that game against South Africa was the tragedy that took 13 lives, a regrettable day in the history of soccer in the country, certain things around that time were planting a seed.
I am not sure if Makunike played in that actual game. But John Fashanu a former English Premier League player was sniffing around Africa and spending extended time in Zimbabwe looking for the next player from Africa to play in the EPL.
Somehow he was convinced he would find one. He settled for Makunike.
Those were the days of the great Arsenal team that would be called the Invincibles which went through an entire season without a defeat in 2003. This record stands to this day.
In that team were African players like Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) Kolo Toure (Ivory coast) and Lauren (Cameroon). Fashanu saw an opportunity to benefit himself by sending other Africans to Europe, maybe as an agent.
He settled for Makunike. He successfully secured him a trial for 3 weeks at Arsenal which Makunike failed because of a pulled muscle on his thigh. Failing to secure a stint at Arsenal Fashanu also took Makunike to Watford.
These developments were exciting for fans of Makunike, who had a huge following at home, even while playing for only the third biggest side in Zimbabwe, Caps United. I say “only” in comparison to the two behemoths of Dynamos and Highlanders. People paid to watch him.
He was in England for an extended period which may have included training with Arsenal or other teams at other times. There is some debate about it today.
When he left, he left for Arsenal. He may have gone to Arsenal and then to other places but in those days before 24hr mobile internet connection word would not travel that fast. And transfer information remains confidential even now.
All transfer info before a confirmed signing remains gossip and speculation, a thriving field in pre-season especially.
On his return I asked him: “So you were at Arsenal with Kanu?”
“Yes.”
“Thierry Henry?”
“yes”
“With…”
He quickly interrupted: “Yes all of them.” Not exactly rude but not awestruck either.
A seed had been planted at Arsenal. He could see the possibilities. He was now in his prime. He dressed really neat in a beige pair of jeans.
Better, certainly, than anything Barons, Truworths or House of Kumali were offering in Harare. He was dressed like an English Premier League player.
He would move to Yugoslavia with Mike Temwanjera and Leonard Tsipa in 2003. He told a colleague that he now wanted to be really serious about his football, taking things to the next level.
The seniority system in Zimbabwe often saw players retained into their late 30s. Some started playing two decades before. This system while rich in institutional memory blocked a pathway for promising youth.
Reinhard Fabisch ignored this reality with his highly popular Dream Team. The local fanbase largely did not forgive him for not playing Moses Chunga and Memory Mucherahowa extendedly.
The introduction of Sunday Chidzambwa as coach gave a new lease on life to the 1990s generation.
A young Energy Murambadoro became the goalkeeper. Harnessing experience from Fabisch’s team (Chidzambwa himself had been an assistant to Fabisch) the team that qualified for the 2004 AFCON rode on that experience.
The team that qualified for Afcon would surely have been on Makunike’s mind. Lazarus Muhoni from Mutare scored one of the crucial goals in a 1-0 victory in Harare.
It was a tap in, but just how many of these tap ins had been missed from Makunike’s crosses from the same right wing facing Mabelreign?
Makunike graduated from Under 23 as a captain with an X-factor. Mwaruwaru, a colleague, went to South Africa, Switzerland and then France, a pleasant surprise. You can catch the drift.
Makunike could have gone just as close, surely. Later on, Benjani would play for Man City and Portsmouth in EPL.
The seven years or so Makunike spent around Caps United saw cup successes and that one championship in 1996. His last return from overseas saw Caps United in a relegation dogfight.
The moniker “Tobaiwa United” meaning ‘Sure Losers’ was sticking. Every corner, every run, every free kick could potentially hold relegation in abeyance once again. Or not.
Charles Mhlauri was a definitive coach. Caps were coached by Rahman Gumbo and then Fewdays Musonda. The first name was a butt of jokes.
After a rare win, like [‘he earned himself] a “Few more days.”’ Gumbo was a great player with club and country.
He then got multiple championships with Highlanders in (as a coach) in 1999 and 2000 before British coach Eddie May added 2 more for Highlanders in 2001 to 2002 to make it 4 on the trot.
Those four years were by no means one sided. An obstinate Mhlauri and his brainchild Amazulu threatened Highlanders’ rein backed by businessman Delma Lupepe.
From 1997-2002 Caps mostly lost games against Dynamos. There was even more talk of Makunike joining Dynamos.
Makunike was now based in Glen Norah. He married in his early 20s and had a son called Dylan.
Caps United finally beat Dynamos in 2003. Conspiracy theorists said Dynamos donated points to Caps to stave off relegation for their rivals to preserve money spinning derbies.
Two brothers stood side by side in combat Elton Chimedza (Caps) against Cephas Chimedza (Dynamos). Elton prevailed against his sibling. Cephas left Dynamos to join Caps in a half-hearted move.
Dynamos did not know it but their benevolence, it would later be claimed: (by selling Cephas) they had sold the league.
Late in 2003 I met Charles Mhlauri while he was with Foster Dongozi, a journalist friend we held in common. Mhlauri was working at Caps United. He later became the long-suffering side’s Head coach.
Mhlauri’s team started the first 2 games of the season well in 2004 with 2 wins. For a side coming from e relegation battle this was impressive.
The second was against Njube Sundowns. This was building up towards a familiar disruptive trend for Mhlauri and Tobaiwa United, against the more settled and established order. Would it end in tears of disappointment back in familiar territory as usual, wondered cynical opponents?
Makunike and friends lost their lives suddenly. The burial was emotional with a funeral at Raylton sports club before burial in Mutare via Sakubva Stadium.
I sat with Desmond Maringwa of Dynamos at Raylton Sports club. This was another sober reminder that club rivalries are just packaging and players themselves are shielded from the tensions.
Somehow Caps United replaced their best player with a team of grafters. They went on a lengthy winning run. In game 19 they drew away to Highlanders. The very next week in Harare Highlanders barely beat the clock to secure a 4-3 win against Caps United.
Highlanders protected Zimbabwe Saints’ unbeaten run from Caps United of 2004. Caps also drew 0-0 with Kwekwe Cables at home.
The second championship since 1996 (the 3rd since inception) was followed by another one in 2005 (overall 4th) with Mhlauri’s team doing so in style in 2005.
Stars Raymond Undi, Elton Chimedza, Artwell Mabhiza went AWOL in UK after an overseas friendly against Highlanders in September 2005.
Mhlauri had rebuilt his side and won it again missing Ian Bakala (2004 season only) but with Laughter Chilembe the Zambians who were some of his best players together with Cephas Chimedza.
It was a unique side of grafters that featured Makunike, former Hwange keeper Witness Munkuli, David Sengu, Cephas Chimedza, Laughter Chilembe, Silent Katumba, Leonard Tsipa, Cephas and Elton Chimedza, Artwell Mabhiza, Joel Luphahla, Brian Badza, Lloyd Chitembwe, Ashley Rambanapasi, Washington Pakamisa, Milos Phiri, Joseph Kamwendo, Hadji Tambala, Tichaona Nyenda, Tsungai Mudzamiri, Asani Matora and the (not so) Limited “Baba Andrew” Chikafa.
Makunike had been leader and mentor of some of these players while Mhlauri was building a strong talent reserve of impressive juniors including Quincy Antipas, Washington Pakamisa from Prince Edward. Mhlauri’s powers of mentorship and motivation are perhaps understated.
Recovering from losing an inspirational captain and then winning his first 2 league titles saw him appointed National team coach. His side became the second to qualify for Afcon.
Promoting David Sengu and Cephas Chimedza, his two fullbacks were considered entertaining generational talents. Mhlauri gave extended playing time to young Shingi Kawondera, the experienced Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwaru.
Esrom Nyandoro and Tinashe Nengomasha were the bedrock on which the midfield was built although both could have used the attacking impetus of the now late Makunike. There was always Ronald Sibanda. We never got to watch them play extendedly together though.
Death certainly robbed us of a generational talent. It’s sad that the manner of their death risks becoming their enduring memory. There was more to Makunike. That he is still remembered 20 years afterwards is a solace.
He was that good. He was an inspiration, a leader and a generational talent. A street in Mutare is named after him.
The least I could do was recognize the milestone moment after 20 years without, for some, a husband, a dad (for his son Dean who plays lower league football in England), a brother, son, relative, friend and general inspiration.
He joined a caliber of players who brought fans to stadiums and got multitudes playing the game on the streets and pitches with their inspiration. If ever the question should be asked; “Where they that good?” the answer is: They were. That Good.
