Zimbabwe Saints legend Andrew “Mai Maria” Kadengu’s blood is blue and his heart bleeds for the club that gave him fame and a small fortune.
Report by Nunurai Jena
Kadengu was nicknamed “Mai Maria” by one supporter, Wairesi Zimba after he was spotted coming from a church service one morning before scoring a winning goal against Highlanders that same afternoon. The name stuck to him like glue until today.
The pint-sized Kadengu opened up to Standardsport and identified a number of factors that has seen one of the oldest clubs, which also produced some of the best players to grace our domestic league, sinking to the unfashionable world of Division Two at the end of last season.
However, it was through financial muscle that Chauya Chikwata, as they are best known by their supporters, bounced back into Division One after acquiring the Railstars Football Club franchise at the beginning of the Southern Region 2013 soccer season.
Kadengu, who is now a Zifa grassroots coach for Mashonaland West, said internal squabbles, football politics, maladministration and the death of junior policy, were some of the factors that caused Chikwata to perform badly to the extent of being relegated to Division Two.
“There is no longer commitment starting from players to administrators as compared to yesteryear,” he said.
He bemoaned the departure of honest and committed administrators such as Nelson Chirwa, Herbert Ushewokunze and John Madzima.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“It is unfortunate that I may sound rude, but our sport has been infiltrated by unscrupulous administrators who only think of lining up their pockets,” said Kadengu.
He remembers during his playing days when there were many trophies to play for as sponsors were getting value for their money, unlike now when the administration of soccer is riddled with dishonest and greediness. He added that having a junior policy was the only way to achieve greater things at a national level.
“This is the reason why we are having problems with our national teams. Given the chances and resources, I would want to revive the old memories at Saints as a coach.”
Kadengu had a blemish in his life after he spent six months behind bars following his conviction for fraud. But, the then bank teller still insists up to this day that he was wrongly convicted. “I was not at work on the day the crime was committed”
Kadengu, who hails from Mhondoro, was born 61 years ago in the City of Kings in a family of nine children, eight boys and one girl.
He started his football career while doing his primary education first at Lobengula before moving to Mzilikazi Primary School.
He later joined Eastlands Football Club junior ranks where he vividly recalls playing with the likes of Tommy Masuku and Tymon Mabaleka. Masuku and Mabaleka later joined Highlanders.
In 1967 he graduated into Eastlands first team and a year later he was called into the then Rhodesia national team, although he didn’t make it into the final squad.
Two years later Kadengu relocated to Mhangura and played for MTD. He teamed up with James Muponda , Lovemore “Papa” Nyabeza, Phillimon Phiri, George Kondowe and the Chiedza brothers Tendai, Itai, George, Isaac, Hector, and Temba.
Due to stiff competition at Mhangura, Kadengu was offloaded to Alaska, a sister club before he found himself at Sakubva United where he played alongside Isaac Mafaro, Wonder Chisetera, John Mukudu, Richard Nyabeza and Edson “Sugar” Muguyo.
In 1974 Kadengu was lured back to Bulawayo by the late nationalist Ushewokunze together with Muguyo and Nyabeza to join Mashonaland United, later named Zimbabwe Saints where he made a name for himself.
Kadengu’s exploits during his stint at saints During his 10 years at Saints, from 1974 to 1985, Kadengu managed to lay hands on all the trophies played for during those years — the Castle Cup, Chibuku Trophy, BAT Rosebowl, Nyorenyore Shield, Rothmans Shield and the League Championship in 1979.
Kadengu still cherishes the 1976 Castle Cup final against Dynamos “Dynamos had great players in the mould of the Marimo (Chidzambwa) brothers Sunday and Misheck, Mathew Mwale, Oliver Kateya, Kuda Muchemeyi, Shaw Handriade, Isaac Nhema and David Mandigora,” Kadengu remembered with excitementAlthough Kadengu was called for national duty by three coaches namely Danny Mclennam, Shepherd Murape and Obadiah Sarupinda, he never played a game because of his small stature, as coaches then preferred big players.
Widowed in 2002, Kadengu has five children: two boys and three girls and many grandchildren. He is currently the vice-chairman of Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association.
