Locally, she turned out for then invincible Bulawayo-based side, New Orleans, who used to record two figure score lines against any opposition and made winning trophies, both in Bulawayo and nationally, their preserve.
Her 14-year career began with Zimbabwe Saints Ladies in 1988, at a time when very little attention was being given to women’s football in this country.
“I turned professional soon after completing my secondary level education, at an age of 19. Playing soccer seemed very funny to many people by then, but I had made my decision,” the former hard-tackler told The Zimbabwean.
“As the last born in a family that had five boys, I grew up playing football with my brothers, getting inspiration from my father, himself a former professional footballer. I gained a lot of experience from Saints, but their lack of professionalism forced me out to join Highlanders Queens two years after making my break. Highlanders were a much better administrated side and they helped me grow in the sport.”
In 1993, at the establishment of the Entumbane-based New Orleans, Mugadza became one of their founding players.
“I had enjoyed my stay at Highlanders Queens, but as a player you always needed something better and that opportunity came to me in the face of New Orleans,” she said. And better she did get at her new club, winning trophies that gave her ammunition to laugh at those who had initially thought she was mad to choose the sport.
“We were crowned Southern Region champions in our debut season at New Orleans and went on to dominate the local game in 1993-2001,having tasted no defeat in any of our league matches during that period,” added the 43-year-old.
“In those eight years, we only lost once, in a Softex Cup game against Mufakose Queens, who laboured to a 2-1 win after we had beaten them in all previous encounters. We were just invincible, with great players like Precious ‘Gringo’ Mpala, Sithethelelwe ‘Kwinji 15’ Sibanda, Ruth Banda and Nomsa ‘Boys’ Moyo.”
Mugadza was part of the New Orleans’ successful sojourns at various tournaments in Swaziland, South Africa and Botswana, where they were mostly crowned champions. She has also participated in the Mandela Cup, AFCON, Unity Cup and COSAFA Cup – both as a player at club and national team player and as Mighty Warriors coach.
“South Africa always dominated us in the national team and I remember the pain I went through when they beat us in the 1995 Mandela Cup. It was a tightly-contested match that I believe we should have won. We also played in the 2000 Afcon finals in SA, where we came out fourth, followed by another such tournament in Nigeria, where we finished sixth two years later.”
Former central defender Mugadza hung up her boots after the 2002 tournament, aged 32 years, to pursue a career in coaching, which has eventually catapulted her to her current job as Mighty Warriors coach.
“In 2001 while on my last year as a player I started coaching New Orleans’ Under-19 side. In 2002, I guided the Under-15 team in a Norway tournament. Success saw me being appointed senior team coach in 2003.”
In her debut season as mentor of her former club, she won the Southern Region championship, the Unity Cup and ended runners-up to Mufakose Queens in the Independence Cup.She was elevated to Mighty Warriors assistant coach in 2004.
“In my debut year with the national team, I achieved as coach what I failed to get as a player – beating South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 2-1 in their own backyard. That laid the foundation for our current success.”
She was appointed head coach of the national side in 2006. In July this year, Mugadza tasted her first international golden medal as coach, after her side edged Banyana Banyana 1-0 in the final of a COSAFA tournament played in Harare.
“South Africa have always given us a tough time from the days I was a player, so beating them at whatever level gives me some satisfaction.”
Post published in: Football