The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FOOTBALL talent can surely be sourced from the most unlikely sources!
Growing up in the dusty streets of Highfields and not so intelligent in his schoolwork, Lloyd Katongomara only dreamt of one day donning the military garb as a soldier.
Born in a family of four siblings, Katongomara (33) was orphaned at a rather early stage in his life after both parents passed on one after the other at the turn of the new millennium and their standard of living shifted from being decent to pitiable.
Without any clue, no reliable source of income, let alone assistance on how he would pursue his dream of joining the military, young Katongomara found solace in playing social soccer especially during weekends.
He would not miss the routine Inter Bank social soccer matches where he turned out for ZB Bank every Saturday.
Together with the All Stars social soccer matches at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfields in Harare every Sunday, these social soccer diaries became a weekly vocation for Katongomara.
When all this was unfolding, week-in week-out, young Katongomara never knew that one day he would become the current Premier Soccer League top goal scorer.
Katongomara now lives to tell the tale of a gem unearthed from the rubbles of All Stars social soccer and Inter Bank boozers’ football matches at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfields in Harare.
Former Tanganda, Dynamos and CAPS United midfield genius, Joseph ‘Shabba’ Takaringofa and the owner of the now defunct Chipinge-based Eastern Region Division One outfit, Gaza Gunners, Shingi Mathabuka saw something in him that many who played with and against him in social soccer back then did not see.
That was the turning point in a newly found football career.
“I never dreamt of taking football seriously, let alone as a source of livelihood. Even though I was part of a team that was booted out in the semi-finals of the Copa Coca Cola finals played at Prince Edward High School while I was still at Kwayedza High School from Highfields, I never took that seriously.
“I even stopped taking training sessions seriously when I was briefly attached to Felfar Stars, a team that was in the Northern Region Division One. My stint with the team was not more than half a year as I had given up in becoming a professional footballer.
“This is when I started playing social soccer matches. I would play every weekend. Saturdays were for Inter Bank social soccer matches and Sundays were for the All Stars social soccer matches that used to be played at Zimbabwe Grounds,” said Katongomara.
He spoke of how Takaringofa and Mathabuka took him to Chipinge to join Gaza Gunners.
“It was Shabba (Takaringofa) who convinced me that I still had something to offer on the field of play in a competitive league. He took me to Chipinge together with the club owner, Shingi Mathabuka. I suddenly started getting regular game time in the Eastern Region Division One and that is when I discovered that indeed I can still play at that competitive level,” he said.
From Gaza Gunners, Katongomara joined Mutare-based army outfit, Buffaloes who were in the Eastern Region Division One in 2012.
“When I joined Buffaloes I fitted in very well and it was coach Shadreck ‘Father’ Mugurasave who made life easier for me at Buffaloes. I also played regularly at Buffaloes,” he said.
After a lengthy stint at Buffaloes, Katongomara found himself donning the gold and black Manica Diamonds’ jersey where he has turned himself, not only as a regular in the starting line-up, but also sits on top of the list of the Castle Lager Premiership goal scorers after five rounds of league matches.
In the current 2021/2022 season, Katongomara has hit the nets five times, one ahead of teammates, Nyasha Chintuli and Ticha Mabvura as well as Chicken Inn’s Brian Muza.
“I never knew I would one day be the highest scoring Premiership scoring striker, not even at one moment. I am working hard so that I can end the season among the best strikers since I have now seen the potential in me,” he said.
Katongomara regrets overreacting in Sunday’s 6-2 Manica Diamonds’ demolition of Caps United at Sakubva Stadium which saw him being sent for an early shower together with Caps United’s Valentine Musarurwa.
“I really want to apologise to our fans as a club for overreacting on Sunday. Yes, he attacked me first, but I was supposed to be mentally strong and avoid retaliating.
“This has disturbed my momentum as a player as well as the club’s plans because of my absence in the next match. I hope to start from where I left when I get the chance to play again,” said the Gem Boys’ top man who believes he still has a few more years before calling it quits and venture into player scouting.
“The way I was spotted and rose to play at this level has inspired me to venture into player scouting after my playing days are over. With a business approach and mindful of both junior and social soccer, I hope to excel in that field.”
