The idea of ever donning the Warriors jersey never crossed his mind as a boy growing up in Mbare’s begrimed Matapi Flats. Then, he and his friends’ pastime was kicking about a plastic football in the dusty streets, never imagining he would one day be a professional soccer player.
Brian Nkiwane
It is, therefore, a wonder that Farai Edwin Madhanhanga is today a stand-out performer for the Warriors — one whose skills dazzled many at this year’s African Championships (Chan) tournament.
Zimbabwe might have performed dismally at the tournament in Rwanda, but the trip certainly did uncover rare talent in Madhanhanga.
Injury to inspirational captain Danny “Deco” Phiri ahead of the Chan tournament meant that the promising footballer not only travelled, but made his debut appearance in the senior team. As fate would have it, Phiri’s misfortune became Madhanhanga’s blessing.
Standardsport caught up with the player last week and got an insight into the life of one of Zimbabwe’s most talented rising players. “In my entire life, I had never dreamt of donning the Warriors colours, but everything started changing when I received my first ever call from coach Kalisto Pasuwa to be part of the Under-23 side. I knew that first move was going to open all the avenues waiting ahead for me,” Madhanhanga said.
Phiri injured his knee against Highlanders in the last match of the 2015 soccer season, the NetOne Easycall Cup at Barbourfields and could not recover in time to be part of the Warriors team that did duty in Rwanda. But in Madhanhanga, Pasuwa seems to have found a Deco replica, although it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to fit in the reigning soccer star of the year’s shoes.
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In Rwanda, Madhanhanga was the toast of the Warriors’ short stay. He was among the starting 11 in the first match against neighbours Zambia, carrying the anchorman’s position together with FC Platinum’s Gerald Takwara. Madhanhanga played the full 90 minutes and made an indelible impression, but unfortunately, the Warriors conceded a silly goal from a set piece.
Madhanhanga commanded the same position in the next match against Mali and executed himself well, but once again the Warriors conceded a silly goal in similar fashion. Pasuwa went on to show his belief in the youngster when he introduced him in the last match against Uganda after the half-time break.
Madhanhanga said in an interview last week: “I would want to thank my coaches for having confidence in me. To be a direct replacement for a player like Deco is not an easy job. I, however, want to also apologise to them because as players, we let them and the entire nation down. I would have loved to return the favour that they had done me and the other guys, but things just did not go according to our wish. However, there is always room for improvement. I hope to get another chance.”
In the Young Warriors set up, Pasuwa has on two occasions used Madhanhanga as a left back.
“It’s true; I have played twice in the Young Warriors set up as a left back. I have no problem playing in any position, but anchoring has been the best of them all.”
His first senior team call-up came when the Warriors went to Comoros to play their final qualifying match for the just-ended Chan tournament, which they drew nil-all.
“That is when my first senior national team call-up came, but I never had the chance to play because Deco and Takwara were both available.”
Away from the Warriors, Madhanhanga has also made a big money move from relegated Flame Lily to the cash-rich Harare City.
Madhanhanga, who will be turning 21 on February 14, was born in Marondera in a family of 10. Only him and his younger brother Muneni (15) fell in love with football. Madhanhanga grew up in Mbare where he used to watch the likes of Edward Sadomba playing. He went to Chiedza Primary School before proceeding to Craneborne Boys High for his secondary education.
His football career started taking shape when he turned out for Mbare-based Catholic Saints, while he was still in Form One. At O’Level, Madhanhanga switched to Sprouting FC where he played for two seasons.
After he completed his O’Level, he joined Monomotapa but unfortunately, they got relegated. He then joined Flame Lily in 2014 and helped them gain promotion into the top flight league where they played for a season and again, kissed goodbye to the league of the big boys after a season-long flirtation.
However, his stand-out performances had caught the eyes of a number of coaches, resulting in his manager’s phone being deluged by calls enquiring about his availability.
“It was something else when the season curtain came down. A number of clubs knew very well that there was no way I was going to go to Division One with Flame Lily, so almost every club, including DeMbare and CAPS United, were asking about my availability,” he said.
The boy from Matapi Flats reckons that his goal against Blue Swallows in the world of Division One has been his best so far.
“I don’t usually score goals like what the likes of Paul Scores of Manchester United or Yaya Toure do. So that rare goal was one of my best. My debut Under-23 match against Swaziland at home is my best match so far of all the six matches that I have played. It was at Rufaro, and you know the atmosphere at Rufaro. Obviously, my debut for the Warriors against Zambia will always linger in my memory even though it was on a losing cause and subsequently a failed Chan mission.”
Madhanhanga says he believes he has what it takes to find a new football home outside Zimbabwe. “Without considering my performance at Chan, I think locally, I have done enough to prove that I can play in any league. I have hope that one day I will leave the country for a better paying job,” Madhanhanga said.
His handler Calvin Nyazema revealed that a South African team is pursuing the youngster’s signature but for the sake of player development, he thinks Madhanhanga is not yet ripe for the stage.
“It does not work to have him sign for a South African club just to go there and warm the bench. He has just signed for Harare City; I think it’s a good club which will mould him in- to a complete player, then we will see from there what will come his way,” said Nyazema.
