The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
THE synchronisation of Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 with the national grid, a development that is expected to add 300MW to the national electricity output, is one of the most exciting news emerging from the coal mining town.
Last night, Hwange’s best football product, Marvelous Nakamba, was in action for Luton Town, who were aiming to earn a maiden qualification into the English Premiership.
The Hatters were relegated from the then First Division, which paved the way for the Premier League in 1991/1992, and have since then failed to return to top-flight action.
Back at the colliery, where Nakamba honed his skills, the club that gave Marvelous’ father Antony and several other local players a stepping stone — Hwange — is craving for a return to the good old days.
Hwange have this season bounced back into the domestic Premiership.
The colliery, their famous hunting ground, used to be a real fortress. Here, big guns like Dynamos and Highlanders melted in the sweltering heat. The stadium has also been famous for nurturing good goalkeepers.
From the legendary Posani Sibanda, who was part of the famous Hwange side that won the 1973 Castle Cup after stunning a George Shaya-led Dynamos, Hwange has been renowned as a cradle of gifted goalkeepers.
Weekly Mwale, Isaac Tshuma, Peter Mlilo, Antony Nakamba, Johannes Tshuma, Chenjerai Dube, Witness Munkuli and Posani Sibanda’s son Timothy are some of the finest keepers who were nurtured in the coal mining town.
FC Platinum captain Petros Mhari, who kept goal for Zimbabwe at the 2022 African Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon, current Dynamos number one Taimon Mvula and former national Under-17 keeper Joseph Kaunda also honed their skills at the colliery.
Nedric Madeya, 28, is the latest offering from Hwange’s goalkeeping conveyor belt.
The eccentric Madeya has so far been more famous for his big white towel, more than his exploits between the sticks.
Madeya always carries a big white towel, a trademark tool for most goalkeepers, and spreads it behind his goal throughout a match.
He hogged the limelight when Hwange hosted Dynamos in their opening Premiership fixture at Barbourfields on March 18.
Madeya made three brilliant saves in the first half, denying Eli Ilunga, Tendai Matindife and Elvis Moyo, prompting the superstitious DeMbare outfit into thinking his towel had some supernatural powers.
At half-time, Dynamos team manager Richard “Nyoka” Chihoro walked onto the pitch and sprinkled some liquid into the nets at the Mpilo End, where Hwange would defend in the second half. His actions seemed to inspire an overzealous Dynamos fan, who then scaled the perimeter fence and grabbed the goalkeeper’s towel, which was subsequently burnt by fellow supporters.
Dynamos eventually won the game via a Tinashe Makanda strike, while Chihoro would go on to be fined by the PSL. Madeya walked out of Barbourfields famous more for his towel than the numerous key saves he had made.
But Madeya, who is hoping to be the next top goalminder to emerge from Hwange, wants to be known more for his technical abilities than his big white towel.
“I am surprised why people want to make a case out of nothing as the towel is just every goalkeeper’s tool for use,” Madeya told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“(Just like any other keeper), I use the towel for wiping my face and gloves.
“I have realised that people who make an issue of the towel are those who have their own beliefs on the use of supernatural powers in the game, but I am not worried at all.”
On May 14, Madeya was ordered by referee Arnold Ncube to remove his towel from his goal before the start of Hwange’s match against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium.
He still made some fine saves as the game ended goalless.
Madeya was, however, powerless the previous week, as Hwange slumped to a 0-3 home defeat by Bulawayo Chiefs.
“I have realised that the case of the towel only surfaces when we are winning or when Chipangano is doing well in games.
“I am not worried and will not lose sleep because of people who have fantasies in football.
“The issue of the towel is being driven by those with a mentality of losers,” he said.
With 12 points from 10 matches, Hwange have had a decent start to life back in the PSL.
They have three wins, as many draws and four losses.
Madeya has kept a clean sheet in their last two matches against CAPS United and Triangle.
“I am very confident that we will remain afloat as everyone is working hard.
“We need to work on scoring goals. If you look at the log standings, you will see that teams are struggling to hit the nets.
“Once we come good on that, we are good to go and will finish in a very decent position come the end of the season,” Madeya said.
The coalminers have scored seven goals so far, with four of them coming from striker Brighton Makopa — a Highlanders juniors’ product. Former Dynamos fringe player Kinga Nasama and Shepherd Gadzikwa are some of the strikers at Hwange.
Their team also have experience in the form of Canaan Nkomo, Thabani Goredema, Ernest Gwitima and Eddie Nkhulungo.
And Madeya believes he can also blossom at Hwange, a team that has a rich history of nurturing players.
Two-time Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere, former Warriors defender Method Mwanjali, striker Evans Rusike and the FC Platinum pair of Gift Mbweti and Mhari are some of the players who used the colliery as a springboard in recent years.
Former Polish-based striker Takesure Chinyama also starred for Hwange, before moving a step up the ladder.
“I believe I can also capitalise on Hwange’s history because I am enjoying my game here.
“But I have to up my game if I am to soar at a club that has some rich history in the Zimbabwean football landscape.
“A keeper is famous for the clean sheets he or she keeps and I intend to keep as many as I can this season so that my game and reputation improve.”
Madeya, who has managed four clean sheets in 10 matches this season, first tasted Premiership football with How Mine in 2013, before moving to Tsholotsho FC two years later.
He also had a stint at Highlanders, before shifting to Southern Region Division One side Talen Vision in 2019.
In September 2021, Madeya then found a new home in Hwange — a town he respects for its rich football culture and history.
* Twitter: @LangtonGuraz
