The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
PERHAPS he would have been one of the performers at this year’s Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu virtual memorial gig had he not swapped the drum for the football boot.
It has become the norm for the Chimbetu clan of singers to perform every August in honour of the late Simon, who died on August 14, 2005.
The name Chimbetu is synonymous with Dendera music, a genre popularised by the late liberation struggle veteran Simon and now, almost all of the Chimbetu siblings have taken the musical route.
Simon’s young brothers Naison and Briam (both late) as well as Allan are big Dendera names.
Their sons Suluman, Tryson and Douglas are also into music, so is Simon’s daughter Saiwe.
However, there is one “prodigal” son.
Wilmore Chimbetu, Naison’s son and Tryson’s young brother, has taken a different route and is now a Premier Soccer League player.
The 23-year-old Chimbetu, who is also nicknamed “Chopper”, after his uncle Simon, is a roving right back who now commands a regular place at Herentals.
“Everyone else, especially the males in the whole Chimbetu family wanted to focus on what our fathers were good at (music).
“As early as Grade Six I already knew how to play drums and I would do sessions at home with my late father Naison,” Wilmore said.
At some point he was a backing vocalist for Tryson and on some occasions he would still go and cover up for his brother at some shows that he (Tryson) would have failed to attend, even after becoming a professional footballer with Herentals.
“Somehow I fell in love with football when I was still at Glen View Six Primary. I also discovered that there was some football history within the family. I was always hearing stories of how my father and some uncles were good at the game.
“I then started seeing progress when I was in Form Four after joining Herentals Group of Schools. Being a bright student I got a scholarship with the school and at the same time I was also playing for Herentals in a social league.
“The owner, Innocent Benza, was charmed with the team’s consistent performances and decided to buy a franchise in Division One. That’s how we rose to become a PSL side,” said Chimbetu.
Herentals, who are also known as “The Students” made their PSL debut in 2018, finishing sixth, ahead of the more fancied giants CAPS United and Dynamos. They dropped to 11th in the 2019 championship before the league was halted by the coronavirus in 2020.
Although they are not doing so well in the muted 2021 Chibuku Super Cup, in which they anchor Group One with two points out of a possible 15, Herentals are credited for giving ghetto youths a chance to make a living through football.
Even their bustling striker, Blessing Majarira was discovered in the rural areas.
Majarira was discovered in Mutasa District and joined Herentals Group of Schools as a builder in 2009, before transforming into a striker whose robustness once caught the eye of legendary Sunday Chidzambwa.
Chidzambwa included Majarira in the squad that won the 2017 COSAFA Cup under Chidzambwa.
“The support we get from “Chidhara” (Benza) is massive. He has helped a lot of us, he has given us opportunities that we thought never existed.
“He supports us financially. Herentals players and our families are well catered for and I do not regret the choice I made of leaving the family’s tradition (music) for football,” said Chimbetu.
He added: “I took up football as a way of putting across the message that not all the Chimbetus can prosper through music.
“We do have some Chimbetus with different talents. My football career has proven that we can do something else other than music.”
Just like most local footballers, Chimbetu misses the game, which has been halted once again by Covid-19.
“We all need to play but sometimes it’s about saving lives.
“I hope the situation gets better and we are allowed to play.
“Herentals were not doing so well before the Chibuku Super Cup was stopped, so it is our desire to work extra hard when the game resumes.”
Wilmore’s brother Tryson, is now one of the big supporters of Herentals.
Sulumani, who once tried to facilitate his brother’s move to Dynamos, also now follows the local Premiership closely because of Wilmore’s exploits.
“Wilmore has managed to put the Chimbetu name on the map through a different route from music,” Tryson told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“Wilmore was born in a family of musicians but football was always part of us as we grew up in the neighbourhood.
“He was determined and thanks to Herentals and big brother Benza he is where he is today.
“Football has helped him in a lot of ways, it has taken him away from such youth vices like drugs and crime.
“He is a well-mannered man with attributes that I think are actually better than mine. He is of sober habits and a father figure to his young family.
“I support him to the maximum. Whenever I have time, especially when the fans were still allowed in stadiums, I would attend Herentals matches. I am his number one fan and I am looking forward to more opportunities for Wilmore,” Tryson said.
Herentals are coached by Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva and have provided the springboard for players like Carlos Mavhurume and Richard Hachiro who are now at Harare giants CAPS United.
The duo is also part of the local ensemble of the Warriors.
Highly rated midfielder Jean Mutudza was discovered in a social league by Herentals and is now part of the Dynamos cast.
