The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
HE was an ordinary left back when he was first discovered at that famed talent conveyor belt called Bantu Rovers academy but his high energy levels saw him transform into an effective box to box midfielder.
His skill and ability might be new to some but back in Bulawayo, specifically at Bulawayo Chiefs, Shadreck Nyahwa has always been a bright prospect.
“He was an ordinary left back when we took him from Bantu Rovers. We looked at his energy, saw that he was being wasted on the flanks and we said why don’t we make him a box to box midfielder.
“That was the making of Shadreck Nyahwa,” Bulawayo Chiefs coach, Thulani Sibanda, told The Sunday Mail Sport yesterday.
Nyahwa (22) is now parading his skills on a bigger stage.
He has made an instant impact at his new club Dynamos and a lot is now expected of him in the blue half of the capital city.
It was his energy and precise shooting which powered Dynamos to their biggest victory in four years last Saturday.
Nyahwa scored a brace, one of them a contender for Goal of the Tournament, as DeMbare beat Yadah Stars 4-0 in a Chibuku Super Cup Group One encounter at the National Sports Stadium.
The last time Dynamos scored four goals was on June 18, 2017, against Chapungu at Ascot, in a league match that was abandoned on 58 minutes after the goal post collapsed.
Last weekend’s result was also Dynamos’ biggest win in the Chibuku Super Cup since the tournament’s inception in 2014.
The arrival of Nyahwa, one of the new faces at Dynamos who also now have the likes of Jean Mutudza, Trevor Mavhunga, Barnabas Mushunje, Cameroonian Albert Eonde and Newman Sianchali, has given the Glamour Boys renewed optimism that they can be lethal once again.
Confidence levels are high within the DeMbare camp as they brace for today’s titanic clash against city rivals CAPS United.
The popular Harare derby, off the radar last year due to a Covid-19 induced hiatus, gets underway at 3pm and will be streamed live on Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN).
It is a match that could give pointers to the destiny of Group One.
Dynamos top the table with seven points, two ahead of CAPS United going into the fourth round of matches.
“The victory against Yadah and the follow up win against ZPC Kariba has brought confidence and some momentum back to the team.
“I hope the momentum will give us consistency going into the derby and all the other matches to come,” said DeMbare coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
And in Nyahwa, Ndiraya might have struck gold.
“Shadreck (Nyahwa) is a complete package and has everything you want in a footballer,” he said.
Ndiraya has for some time now been an admirer of the Bulawayo bred player.
“I have been following him over the past three years, at his club, Under-23, and at the CHAN tournament. He will grow into a big talent.
“He needed a bigger system to develop further and much credit goes to the coaches at Bulawayo Chiefs who discovered and nurtured him.
“The unsung heroes of youth development systems across the country that discover and nurture young talent must be recognised as well.
Shadreck Nyahwa and many other players have come through these systems. We have only seen a fraction of Shadreck. Watch the space!” Ndiraya boasted.
Nyahwa is one of numerous star players that have been groomed at Bulawayo Chiefs.
Perfect Chikwende, who is now at Simba SC in Tanzania, George Majika (Chicken Inn), Rainsome Pavari (FC Platinum), Polite Moyo (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Stanley Ngala (FC Platinum), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United) and Wallace Magalane (FC Platinum) were all groomed at Bulawayo Chiefs.
Nyahwa has made an instant impact at Dynamos and is now relishing his first taste of the Harare Derby.
It is also from derby showdowns that heroes are made at Dynamos and CAPS United and likewise villains also emerge.
“It’s a derby, a very tough match against CAPS United but we are looking for a positive result. We cannot afford to drop points now and we are mentally prepared for this game,” said the former Mzilikazi High school boy.
“Playing for Dynamos is a new challenge in my career especially now that I am playing for a big club but football is just the same.
“I am excited to be here at DeMbare and I am looking forward to a better season,” said Nyahwa.
While Dynamos are yet to let in a goal in this season’s Chibuku Super Cup, CAPS United have conceded in every match they have played.
They drew 2-2 against Yadah in their opening match before scrapping to a 1-1 draw against Harare City.
Makepekepe registered their first victory against Herentals with a come from behind win during the week.
They won 2-1 courtesy of goals from new signing Tinashe Balakasi and midfielder Blessing Sarupinda.
CAPS United have also made some astute signings of their own and are now home to some fine talent that includes Leeroy Mavhunga, Tatenda Tumba, Evans Karembo, Brendon Mpofu and the red hot Ishmael Wadi.
The stage is set and one and a half years since CAPS United won 1-0 at the National Sports, the derby is back at the same venue and is itching for a new hero!
