The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
A decade ago, far away in the United States of America, this group of teenage Zimbabwean footballers made history when they participated in that country’s oldest youth soccer tournament.
Thanks to Methembe Ndlovu’s strong network in the US, Bantu Rovers Academy — the Bulawayo football project that he founded – were invited to take part in the 2012 Dallas Cup.
Ndlovu, a former Zimbabwe Under-23 captain, attended Dartmouth College and established critical contacts that would later make it possible for his academy to travel to America.
That Bantu youth team featured the likes of Marvelous Nakamba, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Teenage Hadebe and Nqobizitha Masuku.
As fate would have it, Hadebe is now plying his trade in the same country with Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo, Nakamba is now one of the key players at English Premiership side Aston Villa, while Mahachi is plying his trade with South African DStv top-flight outfit SuperSport United.
Although his football journey was a bit different from his peers, Masuku has continued to prove that he is one of the best midfielders in the country with some top performances for resurgent Highlanders.
The 28-year-old returned to Bosso in 2018 after a short stint with Zambian Super League side Buildcon.
He also turned out for FC Platinum before his move to Buildcon.
Just like in 2012, when he was part of that historical tour of the US with Bantu, he continues to create more records.
The in-form forward scored Highlanders’ 1 100th goal in the Premier Soccer League when Bosso fought back to register a crucial 1-1 draw against rivals CAPS United.
Sadly, there were only a paltry 2 600 fans at the National Sports Stadium to watch him grab Bosso’s leveller in a frenetic Battle of the Cities clash last Sunday.
It was a beautiful strike, curled beyond the reach of Tonderai Mateyaunga, who appeared to have set his wall well, but ended up clutching thin air, as Masuku’s inch-perfect kick nestled into the nets.
It was his third goal from a set-piece.
The midfielder now has four goals to his name.
He is Highlanders’ leading scorer going into their match against Yadah Stars at Barbourfields Stadium today.
He scored off a header when Highlanders thumped Herentals 4-0 at Barbourfields two weeks ago, in what was Bosso’s biggest league win since October 1, 2017 when they trounced city rivals Chicken Inn by the same margin.
That 4-0 win against Herentals is actually Highlanders’ biggest league win in 84 matches.
Masuku has contributed four of Highlanders’ seven goals in the current campaign.
His confidence is sky-high as Bosso prepare to face Yadah, with coach Mandla Mpofu describing the gifted midfielder as the best player in Zimbabwe at the moment.
“He is our best player at the moment, if not in Zimbabwe as a whole,” Mpofu told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“Nqobizitha is playing the game of his life at the moment; very special player at Highlanders.
“He is giving me stability in the team. He has very good leadership attributes; a passionate boy.
“He has done pretty well for the club from the onset. We had a very slow start to the season, but Masuku has risen as one of the leaders of the team to make sure that we collect maximum points in crucial games.”
He believes if Nqobizitha continues to work hard, he will get a foreign club.
The Bosso gaffer is now targeting maximum points in all of their home games, starting with the match against Yadah this afternoon.
“We are looking forward to Yadah. I want to emphasise that we want to make BF a fortress, a stadium where teams will feel that fear, because we really want to make sure that we collect all points, especially in our home games.”
Interestingly, Yadah have never won a league match against Bosso in Bulawayo since they were promoted into the Premiership in 2017.
And Masuku is once again expected to play a vital role as Bosso aim to maintain their dominance over Yadah.
“Obviously, confidence is high because I have been scoring goals lately and also some good free-kicks.
“The most important thing is to hit the target and help the team to win games,” Masuku said. After a slow start that saw them failing to win in their opening three matches, Bosso are now gradually rising and have not lost in their last three assignments.
They have nine points from eight matches.
There is now belief within their camp that last weekend’s performance against CAPS United could set the tone for their campaign.
“That was a very important match (against CAPS United). We came back from behind, something that we haven’t done this season so far.
“So credit to the team also for showing fighting spirit and a very positive second half.
“But let me point out that we wanted all three points. Against rivals like CAPS United, we do not celebrate a draw,” said Masuku.
“It was also good for me to score again and I dedicate that goal to myself and my family, but, most importantly, to the team.”
At 28, he still believes that one last breakthrough into the foreign league will materialise.
“I believe that in football God’s time is the best.
“For me, I have to keep pushing, work harder and improve on certain aspects of my game. I also need to keep believing.
“I am happy for the guys like Mahachi, Nakamba and Hadebe for their achievements. Wherever they are, they are also representing me and the other guys we were with as we grew up at Bantu Rovers.”
Masuku’s simplicity, his ability to pick up pockets and trek back when the team loses possession is the stuff that is also exciting experts like former Dynamos, Gunners and Warriors striker Norman Maroto.
The 2010 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League top goal scorer summed up his assessment of Masuku in a Facebook post last week.
“Highlander Bosso midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku living the saying that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
“Knows exactly what to do with the ball before he receives it, and does it as simple as possible. He was a joy to watch and topped the performance with a good free-kick,” wrote Maroto.
