By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Former Zimbabwe Warriors forward Abbas Amidu real name Tumai Matsika appeared before a Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court on Monday allegedly for being found with dagga worth US$78 000.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said Matsika was apprehended along the Kwekwe–Kadoma Highway on 3 October 2025, alongside Reuben Kudzai Mhlanga (41).
Matsika and Mhlanga were intercepted while transporting the dagga in a silver Honda Shuttle (registration number AGP 6776).
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the ZRP confirmed,
“The ZRP confirms the arrest of soccer players, Tumai Matsika, also known as Abbas Amidu (29), and Reuben Kudzai Mhlanga (41) for drug trafficking. The two were found in possession of 750kg of dagga valued at USD75,000 in a silver Honda Shuttle vehicle, registration number AGP 6776, along Kwekwe–Kadoma Highway on 03/10/25.”
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), detectives acted on a tip-off that Matsika and Mhlanga were transporting dagga from Kwekwe to Harare.
“They were intercepted while loading shrink-wrapped packets of dagga into a silver Honda Fit Shuttle,” read the NPAZ statement.
“Upon searching the vehicle, detectives recovered 75 packets of dagga concealed in black plastic wrapping,” the statement added.
Investigators also revealed that the duo frequently use multiple aliases when dealing with police, a tactic believed to help them evade detection and linkages to previous cases.
Prosecutors told the court that Matsika is already facing similar charges in Epworth and Harare, under case numbers EPW 407/25 and CR 636/03/25 respectively. Both suspects were remanded in custody pending their bail application.
From Football Fame to Legal Trouble
Matsika, once a celebrated forward for CAPS United and the Zimbabwe Warriors, is said to have turned to the illegal trade after falling on hard times.
A product of CAPS United, he was part of the squad that won the 2016 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League title, and his impressive performances in the CAF Champions League earned him a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Wehda.
Earlier, he had a short stint with Egypt’s Entag El-Harby, which ended abruptly in May 2018 after just seven months, and a brief spell with South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs in 2012, where injuries prevented him from making an official appearance.
They were remanded in custody until 7 October ( today ) for their bail application.