BIGBOY “Bhidliza” Ndlovu was a two-season goalscoring sensation for Highlanders FC who went on to terrorise defenders in Chapungu and Darryn T colours.
Ndlovu who joined Highlanders in dramatic circumstances in 1983 was a regular and trusted scorer for the Bulawayo giants during the 1983 and 1984 seasons.
He defined the Number 9 role, sticking to the centre and making use of the supply from able players like Madinda Ndlovu, Morgan Phiri, Nhamo Shambira, Willard Khumalo, Roy Ngwenya and workhorse Titus Majola.
Madinda Ndlovu
Born on 14 June in 1954 at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, Ndlovu attended Helemu Primary School in Njube suburb for his Sub A and Sub B. His family lived at F78 but when his parents separated the Department of Social Welfare intervened and they were given a room to stay in at Mabutweni.
“It was a place for single adults where you found up to four men sharing a room, so our mum and five of us had to squeeze in,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu transferred to Nsukamini Primary School in Mabutweni where he learnt up to Standard Six. “My results were not good, I wanted to repeat and at Magwegwe Primary School, they promised that they would take me but they seemed to take their time which left me to give up and start playing football,” said Ndlovu.
He started off with Bulawayo Wanderers juniors. The junior football set-up was not that organised and he remembers many kick-abouts with friends like Peter Mpofu as they masqueraded as Bulawayo Wanderers juniors.
“Back in those days you could go to an official and ask for a ball and play with boys. On weekends someone would take the lead when we played friendly matches. We played the likes of Bulimangwe at Iminyela Football Ground,” said Ndlovu. He said sometime in the 1970s, he was called by his friend Mpofu who was playing for Red Seal Rovers to join them as they went for a match against Pumula City Crackers which had the likes of Patrick “Zee” Changunda.
“I reluctantly took my boots, not sure whether I would be fielded. They decided to throw me in and I scored seven goals in our 7-0 win and they took an interest in me,” said Ndlovu.
After several seasons with Red Seal an opportunity to play in the country’s elite division, the Super League came by.
Sometime in 1983, Highlanders played Zimbabwe Saints in the Jairos Jiri Fete final. Saints players were not available and Chikwata invited the entire Red Seal FC team to participate.
“They drove home and asked me to come and play for them. I did not take my football boots with me but they were able to get a pair for me to use and I played so well that Saints were impressed. Red Seal guys had insisted that I start and Gibson Homela who was in charge insisted on those that had played the previous day (Saturday) and threw me in later and I scored.
“After the match we were taken to their clubhouse along Fort Street near Kalbro. All the players were given $30 and we had a binge there. After that Saints officials gave me $500 signing-on fee and asked me to report for training at Matshobana Grounds on Tuesday. On Tuesday I trained and did so the following day. When I got home on Wednesday, Mackenzie Sibanda a Highlanders legend and official was there.
“Sibanda had even bought my family drinks, groceries and beer and my mother agreed for me to move to Highlanders. But there was a catch. I had already started spending Saints’ $500. Highlanders asked me to return the money by a registered letter which I did,” said Ndlovu.
Highlanders gave him the $500 to pay Saints but refused to pay his transfer fee from the $3 500 that he was sold for to Saints.
Months later the Post Office wrote inviting Ndlovu to come and collect his registered article (money) which had failed to reach its destination.
“Aaah I spent the money and the issue was eventually resolved by Zifa as Highlanders ended up paying Saints $3 500 for my signature.”
Ndlovu was on fire on arrival at Highlanders and scored regularly as he quickly became one of the senior players as Bosso was throwing in younger players to bolster the side for the future.
His major win with Highlanders was the 1984 Chibuku Trophy the 2-1 over Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium in Harare. Ndlovu played a blinder keeping the Dynamos rearguard against the wall as Madinda and Morgan Phiri took turns to probe the Harare giants from the wings. Willard Khumalo and Madinda scored for Bosso. Douglas Chinyoka scored DeMbare’s consolation goal. At the end of the season, Ndlovu had 13 league goals.“I was happy to contribute a dozen goals for the club,” said Ndlovu.
In early 1985 in a match against Dynamos, Ndlovu got a kick from Ernest Mutano which forced him out of action for weeks. That turned to be his “goodbye” to Highlanders.
Dynamos Football Club
“Club executive member Jahalamajaha Dlamini suggested that my allowance be cut to the level of a reserve team. I realised that my time at Highlanders was up and went to Tornados,” said Ndlovu. Ndlovu said had he stayed at Highlanders and played alongside Madinda, Tanny Banda, Douglas Mloyi, Tito Paketh, Willard Khumalo, Mercedes Sibanda, Dumisani Nyoni, David Phiri and Alexander Maseko he could have blossomed and even played for the national team.
He said he had a good time with Highlanders players under Lawrence Phiri’s tenure as coach and later Bobby Clark and Barry Daka.
When he recovered he re-discovered his scoring form and two goals against Airforce of Zimbabwe who changed to Chapungu, were enough to seal his transfer to the Gweru side. He played with the likes of David Mwanza, John Phiri, Cosmas Pritchard and Godfrey Paradza at Tornados.
“We played them at Danny Bismark. I scored two goals. A Chapungu official, Kim Tshabalala who was treasurer, gave me a lift to town and on the way decided to take me for a drink at Terreskeane. After that he gave me money to buy food and his phone number. I called him at KGV1 and he facilitated a car to pick me up from my flat in the Harare CBD. I was taken to the Zimbabwe Defence Headquarters where I filled forms and was driven to Manyame Airbase where I was given Airforce of Zimbabwe uniforms and sausage bags to put my clothes and a railway warrant ticket. Arriving in Gweru at night I was easily identified because of my uniform and bag when alighting from the train and was taken straight to the barracks,” said Ndlovu.
He did not take long to settle down and began scoring for fun.
“I could have scored more goals but Lovemore Nyabeze was a tricky coach to play for. One week you are scoring a hat-trick and the next dropped for no reason. That killed my chances of a national team call-up but I would always get double figures. There were the likes of Shaky Tauro, Charles Chirwa and Gift Mpariwa ahead of me,” said Ndlovu at his Njube home yesterday morning.
At the age of 32 in 1986 he decided to call time on his career and worked for the Airforce of Zimbabwe up to 2004. He said he had lost interest in local football as the players were no longer very skilful nor do they exhibit good team football.
“It is no longer exciting, I have lost interest,” said the man fans called Bhidliza.
He was good in finishing with his head.
“I never received a ball and flicked up high to head, I was finishing off crosses sent to the box for that purpose,” said the man who played alongside Choddy Chirwa, Godfrey Chuchu, Jonah Murewa, Nkulumo Donga, Bampton Nchengela, Bekezela Moyo, Beavan Gwamure and Moses Chasweka in one of the strongest Chapungu teams ever. Ndlovu also spoke of the toughest players he faced in his career.
“There was Ephraim Chawanda, he was a good marker and defender, there was Ephraim Dzimbiri and John Phiri, at Hwange there was Amos Rendo, the combination of Stix Mtizwa and Joel Shambo that was very good in midfield,” said Ndlovu.
Of late the former Bosso striker has not been in good health and is spending most of his time at the family home in Njube.
He is divorced and a father of two grown-up kids who are resident in South Africa.