Zimbabwean football fans of a certain generation will remember the football pride of the Midlands Province, Gweru United.
The team claimed many scalps in our football arena and in the process produced many great players who gave us some unforgettable experiences.
Star players like dribbling wizard Collin Semwayo, tough as teak linkmen, Knight Mathe and Roseman Mangwiro, lethal striker Wonder Chaka, reliable goalkeeper Ranga Mutunga, the ageless Ashton “Musharukwa” Mhlanga and the aptly named Kisdo Matsika among others answer the roll call of Pisa Pisa’s Hall of Fame. It is a long list of star players who are embedded in our football narrative.
Recently I caught up with a former Captain of this football outfit and we went down memory lane.
His story captures what we used to do well and what we have lost, it is a story which is pregnant with lessons. It is a story which invites us to revisit the programmes which made our football so exciting, which made us produce such accomplished stars as the aforementioned.
Here is what he had to say.
My name is Alexander “Leko” Useni, 58 years old, married with five children three boys and two girls.
Like most kids born in ghettos, I started playing football at a tender age of six years in the streets of Mtapa township in Gweru. Besides street football, I am also a product of Ndhlovu Youth Club.
During those days youth clubs were run by Gweru City Council. We had 5 clubs in Gweru, Ndhlovu in Mtapa; Shumba in Mambo; Chipembere in Mkoba; Ingwe in Senga; and then Nyathi in Ascot.
At 15 yrs I was spotted by Carlson Motors, a Division 2 outfit in the Gafa League.
It was during these years at Gafa that I honed my skills alongside the likes of Tawona Zingwe, Jabulani Zvangobani, Mandla Masuku, and Ishmael Meki. With Carlson Motors (later changed to DAF Strikers) we won every Gafa trophy.
This began my journey into new pastures. I was even selected in the Golden Stars team which was a select within Gafa District.
As my soccer career began to soar, I was selected and played for the Midlands under-16 and under 18 team under the guidance of coaches Lovemore Nyabeza and Bernard Zikali.
These were Midlands football gurus who prepared us well for the journey ahead. We were well taught and well groomed at this tender age.
The notable players in this squad were the late Paul Gundani (who later established himself as a solid Zimbabwe Warriors right back), Isa Phiri, Solani Taibu, Charlie Tumira, and Clever Remigio.
We reached the finals for the Coca Cola under 16 and the Zifa Castle Cup under 18. Unfortunately on both occasions we came runners up.
Later on at 17 years I was spotted by William Sibanda and Sam Semwayo (brother to Colin Semwayo). Both were coaches at Pisa Pisa (Gweru United) That was in 1983.
“Pisa Pisa” had some of the best players then in the likes of Ranga Mutunga, Roseman Drako, Colin Semwayo, Takesure Tito, Isaac Tshuma, Knight Mathe, Ishmael Meki, Shaibu Useni (my brother), and Ashton Mhlanga just to mention a few.
l was a utility player. I could fit in as a midfielder, defender or striker. To a large extent, my mentor was Colin Semwayo. I was quiet and humble but a hard worker, qualities which Colin quickly noticed. He took me under his arms and he even bought me some football boots.
Interestingly, this pair of Adidas boots raised a generation of great players. I passed the boots to players like Melody Wafawanaka, Bheki Mlotshwa, and Maxwell Dube.
Kare zvinhu zvanga zvakaoma and a pair of boots could be used by three people per day kubva mukuseni kusvika three pm . Sharing was caring!
We had fun though at Pisa and we used to be well catered for.
I fitted in the Pisa Pisa team and was made captain taking over from Ashton Mhlanga which was a big honour for me.
My most memorable match was against Tornadoes at Gwanzura Stadium. State House Tornadoes was under the stewardship of football loving President Canaan Banana then.
At half-time we were losing 4-0, it was a nightmare!
President Banana left the stadium thinking that his team had locked in 2 points. The coaches didn’t say anything during halftime. It was Colin Semwayo who had the courage to speak.
I remember him saying “vafanha vangu we can come back let’s go and play”. At his word we went back and out played them and the match ended in a draw 4 all. Colin Clever Remigio, Mayor Eric and myself were on target.
The disastrous game was in 1988 against Caps United at Ascot Stadium. All we needed was a draw to survive relegation. We were awarded a genuine penalty but as I was about to take it the referee changed the decision.
Brenna Msiska, the Caps keeper quickly kicked the ball from the spot right to an unmarked winger who then crossed to Never Chiku who scored within the blink of an eye.
Gweru fans were not amused, they invaded the pitch to mete out their own instant justice to the officials.
Whenever I meet with Brenna Msiska, we still laugh about this match!
Football these days has changed. These youngsters have time to train but the results are bad. Football is now a full-time job and they train the whole day.
In our days we used to work first knocking off at 5 pm then going for training sometime just for one hour.
Time was not on our side then, but we produced quality players then. Today I think talent is sub-standard or the coaches are not helping the young players to hone their skills.
We used to have quality players like Colin Semwayo, Boy Ndhlovu, Moses Chunga, Peter Ndlovu, Stanley Ndunduma, Nkulumo Ndonga the list is endless. Today they put on 5 substitutes and have squads of 23 players, they should fare better.
However for football in Zimbabwe to improve and regain its lost glory, we must go back to basics.
Lets start with juniors from under 13 up to under 17 with proper structures. National Team Coaches need training too and should have contracts of least three years. We must stop the ad-hoc arrangements which have become the norm.
I also think we need more coaches to work with juniors and we must stop recycling coaches especially in our top league. We need fresh ideas!!
Zifa must put an end to this recycling nonsense by bringing back coaching courses so that we have more qualified mentors. The deeper the pool of coaches available the better for the growth of the national game.
I am also proud of Mtapa Township. It was a fruitful hub of football in Gweru.
The list of players from this ghetto who played in the Super league or PSL include Conwell and Ashton Mhlanga, Fanyana Thlathswayo, Alexander “Leko” Useni, Roy Useni, Shaibu Useni, Ishmael Meki, Kudakwashe Meki, Bheki Mlotshwa, Maxwell Dube, Jabulani Zvangobani, Kudakwashe Musharukwa, Jacob Mzokomba, Makereza Navhaya, Moses de Souza Roseman, Drako Mangwiro, the Zingwe brothers, Tawona, Steve and Brian, Peter Mlauzi, Alexander Milanzi, Smart Muchabayana, Frank Phiri. My apologies to those whom I have omitted.
Gafa Grounds produced many of these stars, and we need the Gafa Grounds back!
Football runs within my family I captained Gweru United and played in the Africa Cup Winners Cup with the team. My brother Shaibu was a good player.
My sons Alexander Junior and Roy captained their respective clubs, Hardbody and Hwahwa. My youngest son Dylan, is still at school but he is a promising player and is already a captain. We are indeed a family of captains.
I still hope for the return of Gweru United one day but I am currently proud of Sheashem FC and their President Mr Madzaza. They are investing a lot in developing football in Gweru.
If more people do the same, this will take our young people from drugs, a scourge which has gripped the whole country.
I also played for Bata Power another exciting Midlands outfit. My teammates included Rainos Mapfumo, Joe Gomo, Musa Jemwa, Lazarus Pararayi, Machona Sibanda and Wonder Soko among others.
Wow, what a journey!
As earlier stated in my introduction, Useni’s journey is insightful. Many councils need to revive the youth clubs which gave boys (and girls now ) the platform to hone their skills.
What happened to the provincial under 18 tournaments which produced so many stars? What happened to the Zifa Cup junior tournament? And how about the Councils paying attention to the playing fields to allow the young to play the game?
Indeed, some solutions can be found in the past and Alexander Useni’s journey gives us some useful insights!
Let us restore the facilities and the structures must be our clarion call.
Sisonke.
