Where are they now? Richard Mwanza

Mwanza began his premiership career with Shu-Shine, where he played alongside other talented players like Isaac Riyano and Tavaka Gumbo, under the mentorship of Pennell Mckop. He was 19 years old at the time.

“That was after I had graduated from the dusty streets of Magwegwe North, where I played for local club, Hotspurs’ under-14s in 1983,” said Mwanza.

“That laid for me the foundation of a long career because, at just 16, I was signed by third division side Hema, in my neighbourhood, before I moved to then star-studded Corrugated”.

“There I played with the likes of John Sisiya, Never Nyoni, Thabani Masawi and Itai Masawi, Joel Luphahla, Tapela Ngwenya and Dazzy Kapenya.”

It was from Corrugated that Mwanza signed for Shu-shine and the then young goal-minder was named the club’s Most Promising Player in his debut season in the PSL.

“I enjoyed every moment at Shu-Shine and our coach Mckop was a father figure that made me a really enjoy my game. He instilled confidence in me and through that, I was always ready for battle.”

In 1997, Mwanza made a big move to then high-flying fellow PSL side, Zimbabwe Saints, after he had impressed the then “Chikwata” chairman, Canaan Muguti. Competition was tough at his new side though, as he had two talented and more experienced goalkeepers to compete with.

“I had to compete with national team goalkeeper, Muzondiwa Mugadza and Reuben Chandada and that usually relegated me to the side-lines, but I never gave up and in the few matches that I was in the line-up, I did the best that I could.”

In 1999, Mwanza won the Champions of Champions Trophy with the Bulawayo-based side, after they beat Dynamos by 5-0 in Bulawayo, resulting in the Harare giants’ refusal to play the second leg in Harare.

“I always enjoyed frustrating the likes of Zenzo Moyo, Stewart Murisa, Thabani Masawi, Memory Mucherahowa, Joe Mugabe, and Sandras Kumwenda, who were all big names during that time,” he said.

Mwanza remembered a 2000 league match in which Saints thrashed Dynamos 3-1 at Barbourfields Stadium, with the multitudes of Highlanders fans rooting for them to do championship-chasing Bosso a favour, as the league race having reached decisive moments.

“We always had many fans coming to watch our matches against Highlanders, Caps United and Dynamos, but that one was the most temperamental atmosphere one could play under. Highlanders wanted to be champions and so did Dynamos. That made the match as tense as a cup final. Kudakwashe Mahachi scored a brace for us, which saw us cruise to one of our best ever victories.”

Another game that still lingered in the former goalkeeper’s mind was when they played Highlanders in the semi-final of the Independence Trophy in 1999.

“Our coach said Highlanders always beat us because we gave their captain, Thulani ‘Biya’ Ncube too much room to play the ball. He therefore, suggested we should always put pressure on their goalkeeper, Amon Chimbalanga, to play the long ball. We still lost that match, but I enjoyed the close contest we had. In fact, all our matches against Bosso were some of our best because the players from both teams grew up together and knew how their opponents would play.”

When Mugadza crossed the floor to arch-rivals Amazulu, Mwanza had to contest with Chandada for life between the posts, resulting them being used on a rotational basis. They managed to keep the club safe in the PSL for some years, till he left the game in 2002 for “family problems”.

“Professional football is too demanding and needed more time, but I had to spend more time with my family and this forced me out of the game.”

Now working for a private company in Bulawayo, Mwanza spends most of his weekends playing social football for Magwegwe North-based Vule Vale.