One of their most illustrious sons, who contributed to preserving the legacy, was left-footed midfielder, Eddie Mukahanana. He began his professional career with Highlanders, but failed to make the grade and moved to Chikwata in 1994, at 17.
“My debut match for the Chikwata first team was a league game against army side, Tongogara, away in Gweru,” he told The Zimbabwean. “It was unbelievable when the technical department of Gibson Homela, Cosmas Zulu, Barry Daka and Philip Dangarembwa gave me the chance at such a young age. I was still doing my O Levels at St Columbus back then, but I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.”
Mukahanana quickly became a regular in the Saints starting line-up, his sterling contributions later being rewarded with a total of 14 call-ups to the junior national teams, beginning from his first season in the PSL.
He had graduated to the senior Saints side alongside Innocent Rwodzi, Mlungisi Ndebele, Chris Kahwema, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Ronald Sibanda and Godwin Mangayi, who all went on to become key players for the Bulawayo giants.
“Playing in a defensive position at the BF’s Soweto end is always a tough thing, but I still managed to gel in the system and attracted the interests of former junior mentors, Ian Porterfield and Wieslaw Grabowski, who drafted me to the national Under-17 and Under-20 national teams during the COSAFA Youth Championships.”
Mukahanana also got an opportunity to play for the Warriors in the few games that former national team goalkeeper, Bruce Grobelaar took charge. In 1995, the midfielder’s amazing talents saw him get a scholarship at the University of Montevallo, in the United States. He would travel to play for Chikwata during summer.
He later joined US professional side, Central Coast Roadrunners in 1996 and stayed with them for five years, when he ditched them for arch-rivals, Des Moines Menace (PDL). “I had a great time playing in the USA, where I won trophies and a number of individual accolades like Players’ Player of the Year and the Most Disciplined player.”
Within months of joining Menace, Mukahanana was whisked away by Russian side, FC Rostov. “I lacked the support I needed in Russia and quickly returned to the US. On hindsight, I feel I should have fought my way into the Russian system and made a name for myself,” he said.
The midfield destroyer suffered a knee injury in 2002, months after his return to America, which virtually ended his soccer career. His mind set on making it great in the game, the now Canada-based former star holds a UEFA A License.
He is employed with the University of Victoria’s department of sports, is Youth Technical Director for Bays United FC in Victoria BC and also runs his two academies, EM Sports Academy in Canada and Bulawayo’s high-density suburb of Nguboyenja.
Still focused on developing his roots, Mukahanana recently established Simunye Projects Academy, a non-governmental organisation in his home country, which seeks to provide life-changing opportunities to impoverished youths with the ambition to play soccer and further their academic pursuits.
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