IN the hustle and bustle brought to Bulawayo by the 2024 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), an odd 100 people made their way to Ster Kinekor Cinemas, to watch the Tymon Mabaleka
Documentary Premiere.
Perhaps on another day, the figures could have been higher. But it was not about the figures, but the milestone, the production of a second documentary by Albert Chiwandamira, the chief executive producer of Buff Football.
His first offering in 2021 was the George Shaya documentary, a look at one of Zimbabwe’s most revered footballers, his life and his football journey.On Thursday, Chiwandamira was all ears and eyes on the phone from his base in Germany, waiting for feedback from his team on the ground led by Nqo and Rodney Mabaleka.
The documentary is probably overdue recognition of a player considered Highlanders Football poster boy of the 1971-1980 decade. Mabaleka gave all to Bosso and helped brand it to now the country’s most followed club, by the measure of turnstile flips.
Many argue that the gong could maybe have gone to Barry Daka whose big blemish was leaving the club at the end of the 1976 season, to form the Olympics. It remains a sore point in most of the Bosso faithful who believe the motive was to destroy Highlanders forever, as a majority of the senior players left to form the Olympics.
Besides Daka, others who left were Sebastian Sibanda, Ephraim Moloi, Itai Chieza, Ananias Dube, Stanley Nyika and Builder Nyaruwata.
Boet Van Ays, Cavin Duberley, Tommy Masuku and Bruce Grobbelaar had long left.
Mabaleka, Majuta Mpofu, Josiah Nxumalo, Douglas Mloyi, Billy Sibanda and Tennyson Mloyi became the backbone of the team as Highlanders pulled out of the elite league of that time.
They believed they were being ill-treated by the national body and formed the exciting South Zone Soccer League, which brought teams like Go Beer Rovers of Gweru, Gwanda Ramblers, Bulawayo Rockets, Old Miltonians, Black Chiefs and Black Horrors to the fore.
Mabaleka, a gifted midfielder, whose chest control, ball control, dribbling and shooting on the run were immaculate, was the all-weather conductor of the orchestra while Mpofu turned the tide on his day and Nxumalo scored regularly.
Mabaleka moved from Eastlands to Highlanders at the age of 22 and immediately made an impact by winning the 1973 Chibuku Trophy. He also won the regional league title thrice on the trot and the national championship play-off in 1974.
He added another Chibuku Trophy in 1980, a 4-0 annihilation of Rio Tinto at a packed Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
When he called time on his career, Mabaleka had been capped by his country between 1980 and 1981.
He competed for a place with other great footballers like Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, David Madingora, Max Tshuma, Hamid Dhana, Wonder Phiri, Joshua Phiri and Rodrick Simwanza in the national team.
Twice, he made it onto the Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year calendar in the 1970s.
He died on 27 June 2014 and was buried in Bulawayo on 3 July.
Mabaleka formed a devastating combination with Josiah Nxumalo, Cavin Duberley and Tommy Masuku and also the likes of Doughty Sithole, Madinda Ndlovu, Titus Majola and Mark Watson.
Here is what his former teammates and opponents said about him at the launch:
Joseph Ndlovu (Bulawayo Wanderers centreback)
He was a disciplined player on and off the pitch. A smart player who I respected, I still miss him, rest in peace, my brother.
Cosmas Zulu (former teammate at Eastlands (1971-72) and Highlanders 1981-82)
Tymon was one of the greatest players you can talk about. When you talk about skill, the definition of the word skill, is the application of selected technique in demand that is what he was, he knew exactly when to chest the ball, knew exactly when to put a volley, he knew when to put a banana curve.
When you talk about the greatest players, you talk about Majuta Mpofu, you talk about Tito Paketh, Joel Shambo, George Shaya, you talk about Archford Chimutanda, Willard Khumalo and you talk about Mercedes Sibanda. Those were great players.
When you talk about memorable games, you are talking about 52 years back, it is going to take another 52 years to get a player like Tymon Mabaleka.
Douglas Mloyi (former teammate at Highlanders and South Zone Select)
There was a lot of teamwork. We used to build from the back and would give the ball to Tymon to finish off. We used to have a great time with Tymon.
Tymon was a role model to me, he was my teammate, yes and coach, his house was close to where I used to stay, it was like a library, I used to listen to my favourite music, which is jazz.
Kainot Luphahla (former teammate)
I knew him while he was still at Eastlands, when he came to Highlanders, he replaced me, I used to start and Josiah Nxumalo would come in later. But, when Tymon came I was relegated to the reserve team as he took my place. He was my best friend, we were always together, Tymon and Lawrence Phiri. Even at lunch in town, we would be together and play mini-soccer.
Josiah Nxumalo (Destruction Squad member with Cavin Duberley on the right, Josiah Nxumalo and Tymon at the centre, and Tommy Masuku left flank of the Highlanders attack).
We were called a trio by Silas Ndlovu. That was Tymon Mabaleka and Lawrence Phiri because we did not drink alcohol. He was my best friend. I became a top goalscorer because of Tymon and Majuta Mpofu who used to feed me with passes on the field.
Tymon Mabaleka
Themba Ncube (Bosso teammate)
I played with him a few games when I was 18, graduating from the reserve team in the league that was formed by Silas Ndlovu.
When he was coach, he was harsh with us. After the match, he would call you aside and give you tips. On and off the field, he was a gentleman.