The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
EIGHT years ago, he rubbed shoulders with Mohamed Salah in a World Cup duel at the National Sports Stadium.
So good was Lincoln Zvasiya during his formative years that he was nicknamed “Badra” after legendary Tunisian defender Khaled Badra, who won the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations with the Carthage Eagles on home soil.
He was part of the Zimbabwe defence that was torn apart by a brilliant Salah when Klaus Dieter Pagels’ Warriors lost 2-4 against Egypt in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on June 9, 2013.
Liverpool talisman Salah, who was then still with Swiss side Basel, scored a hat-trick on that forgettable afternoon for Zvasiya and his defence partners, who included Felix Chindungwe, Partson Jaure and Ocean Mushure.
That was before Salah and Zvasiya’s careers took contrasting directions.
Salah went on to earn a move to Chelsea, before settling at Liverpool, where he has been breaking records and is now regarded as one of the best in the world.
Zvasiya, who was then on Kaizer Chiefs’ books, went on a six-month loan stint in Greece a month later, before his career took a nosedive.
Drug abuse allegations haunted him when he returned home to relaunch his career at Harare City in 2015.
He also had stints with ZPC Kariba, Dynamos, Yadah Stars and CAPS United before melting into oblivion.
Now he has resurfaced at Premier Soccer League debutants Cranborne Bullets, who are through to the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals.
The 30-year-old joined the army side in July and has so far put up some fine performances that have left Bullets coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera purring.
“He is still one of the best centre-backs in the country today,” Saruchera told The Sunday Mail Sport.
The seasoned coach even believes Zvasiya still has some unfinished business with the Warriors.
“Remember, the country has a CB (centre-back) crisis and I believe Zvasiya is going to play some role in the national team very soon.
“He is only 30 and doing well for us. You see, we have a number of youngsters and we thought we needed some bit of experience at the back, and I am happy to say Lincoln was a perfect signing for us.
“He is so disciplined, still very good technically; he reads the game very well. I have been impressed by him in the few games that he has played for us.”
Cranborne Bullets are through to the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals after amassing nine points in Group Three.
They are two points clear of second-placed Black Rhinos and four ahead of Manica Diamonds and Tenax, who complete Group Three.
Bullets can afford to lose their final group encounter against Tenax and still qualify for the last eight as one of the top two teams.
Second-placed Rhinos play Manica Diamonds in another decisive encounter.
Saruchera’s soldiers picked four points each from Black Rhinos and Manica Diamonds, and added a point off a 2-2 draw against Tenax.
“Our performance so far has been good, our target was to advance to the quarter-finals and we are happy as Cranborne family. The guys fought very hard to be where we are.
“We work very hard at Cranborne and the other thing is we have a very disciplined team which is very hungry for success,” Saruchera said.
The Premiership newboys have a number of unheralded youthful players, including 23-year-old striker Malvern Hwata, who has scored four goals in the ongoing tournament.
Hwata is a goal shy of the Chibuku Super Cup’s leading scorer, Bruno Mtigo of Ngezi Platinum Stars.
“Our strategy was to give our youngsters a chance to shine in the PSL so that we will be counted as Cranborne Bullets.
“But, we also thought we needed some experience and that’s why we brought in Zvasiya as well as Wonder Kapinda and Tapiwa Sibanda from Black Rhinos.
“Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi introduced Hwata to us. He is from Chegutu and we are grooming him.
“Mark my words, he is going to play for Zimbabwe soon. The boy is very disciplined and focused.”
Some of the youthful players at Bullets include keeper Tendai Makoni, Kudakwashe Chidhonza (midfielder), Tinotenda Meke (winger), Maclint Namakoma, Malvern Madzuka (midfielders), wingers Kingsley Mureremba and Tsungi Bvundura, and striker Munashe Kaseke, who is son to former Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer, Karikoga Kaseke. Despite the gutsy performances in the Chibuku Super Cup, Cranborne Bullets are not getting ahead of themselves, as they brace for the Premier Soccer League, which kicks on October 30.
“Obviously, first season we will play to keep our place in the league and also try to win something for the club.”
A former Zimbabwe youth international, Saruchera heads a technical team that includes assistant coaches Gift “Shaft’’ Makoni and Ernest Jamu, fitness trainer Gift Muzire, former Motor Action midfielder Alvin Ndunduma (performance analyst) and manager Fanuel Nyamukapa, an ex-Black Rhinos defender.
