The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
FORMER Dynamos and Al-Hilal star player Edward Sadomba has been honoured with a mural in his home suburb of Mbare.
The artwork is at Mbare Flats, a stone’s throw from Rufaro Stadium, where Sadomba dazzled fans during his heyday at Harare giants Dynamos.
After a largely successful spell at DeMbare, where he helped the Mbare side reach the 2008 CAF Champions League semi-final, Sadomba had a brief stint with Mozambican side Liga Desportiva de Maputo before joining Sudanese giants Al-Hilal in 2009.
Sadomba won the 2011 CAF Champions League Golden Boot, before repeating the feat in the 2012 edition of the CAF Confederation Cup with Al-Hilal.
These achievements are captured in the artwork, which has charmed the Mbare-bred former national team player.
“I feel so touched when people recognise my achievements and being honoured in a place where I grew up.
“It is a motivation to the future generation,” Sadomba told Sunday Mail Online. The artwork was done by a Mbare-based artist, Beszil Matsika, who described Sadomba as a “true hero” and an inspiration to many in Harare’s oldest high-density suburb.
“I have realised that here in Zimbabwe we don’t have a culture of honouring our own sporting heroes. Legends like Sadomba need to be respected.
“Sadomba grew up in Mbare and went on to win various accolades, including a Golden Boot in the CAF Champions League. We are proud of Sadomba,” said Matsika.
“I just thought of this painting because it is a life-long honour. Children growing up in Mbare will ask about Sadomba in future and the painting will tell them a short story of this great footballer,” added Matsika.
Sadomba also had stints with Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahly (Benghazi) and Al-Ahli of Tripoli before returning home for a swansong season with Dynamos in 2019.
The former Harare United player is still revered in Sudan, where he is an undisputed Al-Hilal legend.
A banner with Sadomba’s name is a common sight at most of Al-Hilal’s home matches.
