One of the yesteryear players that propelled the Kwekwe side to that giant-killing status was utility player Stephen Sande, 39. “I grew up around soccer loving people and that alone inspired me to take later up the game professionally,” said the former player.
“My career started at former Midlands Division One side, Cosco Dealers, who were owned by the Cold Storage Company. I rose through their junior ranks to the first team, which was still playing in the First Division at that time. I was 16 when I made the first team and stayed with them for seven years during which I became their main man in the midfield.” It would only be a matter of time before Sande’s talent, form and consistency attracted interest from bigger clubs and his dream of making the PSL came when he was lured to Lancashire Steel by their Zambian coach Fewdays Musonda in 1999.
He quickly established himself and became a vital cog in their midfield, as they tormented many a local side with their excellent displays driven by Willard Khumalo, Luke Jukulile Petros and Albert Mbano. He was part of the team that won the Madison Trophy after they beat Caps United 2-1 in 1999.
“We turned Baghdad Stadium into a slaughter house none of even the so-called giants would just go there and collect a point. The best result any big team got there was a draw and even that came after bad decisions from the referees. The only team that used to give us a hard time there was Caps United, but they also did not win. “We always played like possessed people in our home ground and that was how we shocked many teams there. We had a lot of talent in Jukulile, Mbano, Petros Sibanda, Moses Mwafulirwa, Langton Tifari, Wisdom Simba, Simon Chipunza and some of those that are still playing, like Justice Majabvi, Brighton Tuwaya, George Magariro and Sam Mutenheri.”
Sande also enjoyed the cult hero status he and the club enjoyed in Kwekwe, which he said inspired him to work harder every time. “I always played for the people of Kwekwe, who gave us a lot of support and showed unconditional love to the club. My role in the midfield helped strengthen the team as I led by example and wore that maroon kit with great determination. It was easy for me to always play well because I put a lot of effort in training.”
Sande’s passion for the game saw him later become the club’s captain. “I enjoyed my stay at the club, but winning the Madison Trophy in my debut year in the PSL was the best thing in my career,” said Sande, a pillar of strength for Lancashire Steel during the eight years spent at the club.
He eventually left the side in 2007. “There was no more professionalism in the club, but I also believed I had nothing more to offer the club and had to move on. I had played my part and had seen it all on the pitch, although I had not made it to the senior national team due to the stiff competition and great talent that was in the country at that time. I however, believe the coaches chose the best players they needed for the national and remain grateful for the role I played in the country’s football,” he said.
He now works for a private South African company, but has not lost hope of making a rebound to football in the near future, as he feels he still has a role to play in the development of the local game.
Post published in: Football