The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
WHEN Method Mwanjale moved from CAPS United to Simba SC of Tanzania as a free agent in 2016, many thought the former Zimbabwe international defender had largely been lured by a fat cheque.
Alas, Mwanjale, whose football journey saw him spend close to eight years on the books of South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns after also playing for Shabanie and Hwange here, had other reasons.
A year earlier, in 2015, Mwanjale had returned to CAPS United for a second dance with the club he calls home.
Tanzanian giants Simba, however, approached him for his services.
Despite dangling a good financial package, Simba won over Mwanjale because the deal gave the player a rare chance to retrace his roots and re-unite with his maternal family, which played a key part in the formative years of his football life.
“When an offer came from Simba it was not something that I gave a second thought on, I gladly took it.
“For me to join Simba was more than a football decision …Tanzania is my second home and being close to my family is the biggest thing of my life,” said Mwanjale, who is now back home.
The 36-year-old revealed that after being brought up by his maternal grandparents in Tanzania, a move to the East African country meant he could also get time to reunite with his grandfather, Edward Mwanjale.
Incidentally, the Simba offer was made when Edward was not feeling well.
“My grandparents sacrificed a lot for my career; when I moved to Simba SC it was not about the money. I wanted to be close to my grandfather, who was not feeling well.
“I wanted to be by his side, as it was the least thing I could do for him since he was the one who took care of me, my brothers and sisters when we were young, and he supported my dream of being a football player,” said Mwanjale.
The CAPS United veteran had a two-year stint with Simba.
When one is in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian capital; or in Tundumua, a border town separating Zambia and Tanzania, a discussion on Zimbabwean football would not end without the mention of the talented defender.
Boniface Mwanjale, a Tanzanian national who is also said to be a cousin to Method, claimed the defender is still revered in Tanzania.
His wish is for the player to consider returning as a coach.
He said Method, affectionately known by CAPS United supporters as Yellow, had endeared himself with the Simba fans during his stint with the Tanzanian giants.
They even gave him their own nickname.
“Method was big here and he is adored by many Simba fans. He was a good defender; he is a hero at Simba SC.
“Because of his defensive prowess, here we called him Baba Mwenenyumba (father of the house), he conducted himself like a leader and rarely did the team lose when he was in the matchday squad.
“We know that currently he is with CAPS United, we follow him; one day we would love to see him sitting on the bench for Simba SC,” said Boniface.
Method, who captained Simba during his spell with the club, reckons his good performances in derby clashes against Young Africans had earned him the adoration of fans and respect of his teammates.
“During my first year with Simba, before I was appointed a captain, I was one of the senior guys in the team, so I commanded respect from my teammates and the coaches.
“For one to be rated the best player or a hero for a team in Tanzania, you have to play well in a derby and that way you can find a place in their hearts forever. I gave it all, whether it was in a derby or not, and that could be the reason I am loved in that country (Tanzania).
“To be honest, I really had a good time in Tanzania, people love their football and they are crazy about it,’’ Mwanjale said.
Although they might be yearning to see him return to Tanzania, Mwanjale, who is equally adored by the CAPS fans, also seems to still have some unfinished business with the Green Machine.
