Sports Reporter
BEITBRIDGE’s soccer family was this week plunged into mourning following the passing of local football icon Madala Muleya after a long illness.
“Dawlish, Okocha, JJ” were all his nicknames as he plied his trade in the border town’s theatre of soccer .
Ziyah News Network carries an unedited story by former team mate Osborn Moyo.
He writes:-
Madala did his primary education at Beitbridge Mission from Grade one-seven between 1980-1986.
He then went to Vhembe High by then known as Dulibadzimu Secondary school from 1987 -1990.
He started his soccer journey at a very early age as a goalkeeper, he started playing for the primary school first team dominated by the senior classes grades 6 & 7 whilst in grade 4.
From there he never turned his back and got selected to play for the Beitbridge District select team alongside the likes of Tsepiso Nguluvhe, Osborn Moyo, Bigboy Zenge Sitaudze, Jabulani Sibanda and we brought home the Provincial primary schools trophy.
By the time he got to grade seven he became reluctant to play in goals and could feign injuries on his fingers.
He was drafted into the defence becoming one of the best central defender.
At Vhembe High he continued with his exploits both as a defender and goalkeeper. He was an all rounder, a utility player who could play a position in the field though he was comfortable in the defence and middle fielder.
He played in the best ever under 16 team at Vhembe which reached the Coca-cola finals against Mzilikazi High dominated by Highlanders juniors that had Peter Ndlovu and Benjamin Kunjera.
The team had beaten renowned teams in the province Zezani, Manama, Mzingwani Tongwe and Tekwane.
He graduated to play competitive club soccer when he was snapped by Allen Wack and Shepherd and he was the youngest player in that teqm playing on the right back and defensive link.
During that period he played in an invitational match against Highlanders F.C for a Beitbridge Select. In that match he played no.4 and marked Tobias Mudjambanje out of the game until he was substituted. That match ended in a 1-1 draw.
He was again called up against Black Mambas side and Webster Kurwayisimba the bulk Mambas striker out of the game.
His mentor Enerst Sibanda who had been grooming him took him to a youthful Mitchell Cotts side that had the likes of the late Nguluvhe brothers Silas and Tsepiso, Elliot Godfather Mukino, Mfundisi Ncube, Osborn Moyo, Tapson Hlongwane, Tito Zondani, Hosea “Mixer” Muleya, Tino and most Beutbrudge soccer legends.
In 1990, he was spotted along side myself Osborn Moyo by Chiredze side Blue Bombers owned by the NRZ. Whilst in Chiredze they were both snatched by Chiredzi Zesa first Division team and played in that team along the Mutenji brothers Abel and Cain who had been brought in from Yellow Birds in Mukwasine.
Whilst in Chiredzi he was spotted by Zimbabwe Saints’ Tendai Chieza and was called up for trials and qualified and suddenly NRZ, fearing losing him, gave him a job.
Whilst in Chiredzi he could be called up by teams like Hippo Valley, Triangle and Mukwasine to play for them in away games using other players names.
He later retuned to Beitbridge and continued playing for Mitchell Cotts and later Border Strikers being among the players that brought first division soccer in Beitbridge.
After his retirement from active playing he continued being involved in soccer as team manager and later a medic with Triple B. He was a very knowledgeable tactician who could assist as well in the technical department.
We was a staunch member of Matengwane Social Club, he never missed the club’s social games despite his poor health and contributed much in their social activities.
He coined the nickname Austin JJ Okocha because he loved the player so much and he compared himself to him.
Rest in peace Madala, will remember you always.