The Sunday Mail
STANDING at a 1,58 meters and weighing 58 kilograms Tatenda Tumba is probably the smallest player in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Tumba is just four centimetres taller than Brazilian Elton Jose Xavier Gomes, the Saudi Arabian based attacking midfielder who is regarded as the shortest footballer on planet at moment.
But football is no longer a big boys’ game and Tumba is testimony to that.
At Harare City they call the 18-year old winger Boss Tumba because of his forcefulness.
City coach Mark Harrison ran out of superlatives as he tried to describe Tumba during the week.
“He was a boy last season, but now he is a young man. Tatenda has a brilliant first touch, good pace, he can shield, he can dribble, he can tackle and above all he can head the ball despite his height,” Harrison said.
“I know his capabilities, Tumba is a very technical player. Before, he used to play to his own devices but now he is learning to play as a team player. He still has a long way to go but I predict he will be one of the best in two or three years’ time.”
The Chitungwiza-bred Tumba, whose close friends in the Unit D area prefer to call Beckham after England legend David, has played a key role in Harare City’s decent start to the 2018 race.
“I have set myself some personal targets and one of them is to become one of the best players in the local league. That’s why I am working hard and that’s why I have a personal trainer at home who works on my spring and physique.
“I think the game against Dynamos (today) will give me an opportunity to grow in terms of experience as much as it is also a platform to shine in front of a bigger crowd,” said Tumba.
Tumba’s talent was evident at an early stage when he used to turn out for the now defunct Chitungwiza Academy.
He then blossomed at Chemhanza High Scholl in Hwedza where he led the school to back to back Copa Coca Cola Under-16 boys’ titles in 2013 and 2014.
Alongside teammates, Tatenda Munditi (now at Ngezi Platinum Stars) and Learnmore Muyambo (Harare City), Tumba was selected into the All-Stars Copa Coca-Cola African team.
