The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ON Sunday at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, Shamva-based Castle Premier Soccer League side, Simba Bhora, not only came and conquered, but evoked memories of a departed football icon whose larger than life skills continue to linger in the memory of legions of fans privileged to watch him in action.
Just three days before the 20th anniversary of his uncle, Blessing Makunike’s death, 20-year-old Simba Bhora talisman, Junior Makunike, opened the floodgates in a five-goal thriller against Manica Diamonds, in what can be perceived as a befitting tribute to the late Yogo-Yogo, who many believe is still the best footballer ever to emerge from Mutare.
“The Makunike family is one big family. Our grandfather moved and settled in Bulawayo where he was working, while Yogo Yogo’s family and others stayed back home in Manicaland.
“Our great-grandfathers were brothers and their roots are at Tsonzo, Nyakatsapa, in Manicaland,” Makunike’s aunt, Violet, explained the relationship between the late legend and uprising Simba Bhora FC star. The former Mpopoma High, Prince Edward and Lobengula Primary School learner was a month-old baby when his more famous uncle, then playing for Caps United, breathed his last.
Yogo Yogo’s sister and Junior’s mother used her maiden surname (Makunike) on her son.
Be that as it may, childhood friend, Rodwell Dhlakama, who grew up with the late footie star in the P Section of Dangamvura, believes Blessing Makinuke is the best there ever was.
“I grew up with Blessing and we were in the same stream during our school days. I stayed with a sister whose house was about 60 meters from their house in the P Section of Dangamvura.
“I have watched Ian and Cliff Matondo, Joseph Kabwe, Johnson Mubururu, Mavhuna Mudare, Kudzanai Kadzirange, Shadreck Mugurasave, Anthony Masunda, Chisi Mudhefi, Darlington Sibanda, and many more stars from Mutare, but even up to this day, I still rate Blessing Makunike as the best footballer to come from Mutare.
“During the time we grew up, Blessing was not that outstanding. There were big names like Lazarus Muhoni at Ellis Gladhill, Joseph Takaringofa at St Dominic’s High, Dananai Chinowawa at Sakubva High, Farai Zviuya at St Joseph’s High and Nelson Bandura at Mutare Boys’ High.
“Dangamvura High also had Waxton Mutukwa, Anthony Sanda and Alexander Chabveka, while Marist Brothers had Patrick Chapoterera and the Madziva twins, Godfrey and Godwin. But when we started playing club football, I do not have to think twice to say Blessing Makunike was the best player Mutare ever produced.
“He was a good ball passer and had great vision. He could single handedly decide a match outcome. Unfortunately, he did not play for a Premiership club in Mutare, but you could easily tell by the way he was mourned that he had made a huge impression in the hearts of many during his playing career.
“We may never get another player who will be mourned and remembered the way he did. In fact, I don’t think we will ever get another football gem like him,” said the GreenFuel FC coach.
The late Makunike, after whose name a street was named in Dangamvura suburb of Mutare following his heartrending funeral parade in the eastern border city two decades ago, learnt at Rujeko Primary, Mutare Boys’ and Nyamauru high schools.
He played for the Jimmy Malomo-coached Zupco Mutare before being lured to Dairy Steri in Chipinge.
Back then, the Chipinge Dairiboard plant was the biggest sterilised milk producer in the country.
The late Makunike was later taken to Kadoma Dairy Steri.
“Since he was young, we called him Jah B. Everyone fondly referred to him as Jah B. He was later rechristened Yogo-Yogo after South African singer, Penny Penny’s song when he was at CAPS United.
“At one point, myself, Blessing Makunike and Alexander Chabveka once tried our luck at Tanganda FC, but the coach then, the late Misheck Marimo felt our body frames were too small, and Chabveka, then my classmate at Dangamvura High was the only one who was taken on board,” he said.
We can only say continue resting in peace our departed football icon!
