‘WAWA’ IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN ZIM

MBABANE – Former Sihlangu and Mbabane Swallows industrious defender Wandile ‘Wawa’ Mazibuko was this past weekend in the spotlight in Zimbabwe. 

The former ‘Birds’ defender, who was a household name during his hay days in 2000s was featured on Zimbabwe’s online Pan African Football Online publication. He told the Zimbabwean publication how he juggled between his academic and football career.

 He was described as an exceptional player who effectively mastered the defensive roles both in the centre and out on the flanks.

Mazibuko was recognised for his stylish play in defence for the capital city giants.

After 11 years of astute service at Swallows, his name lies alongside revered players, mostly strikers such as the late Mzwandile Mamba, Mfanafuthi ‘Taribo’ Bhembe, John ‘Shisa’ Mdluli, Mzwandile ‘Tito’ Mabuza, Mfanzile Dlamini and Sibusiso ‘Spoko’ Dlamini.

old-fashioned

A wonderful old-fashioned centre back, Mazibuko read the game magnificently and, besides being a physical match for any opponent, he showed great technique in dispossessing opponents as rightly put by Pan African publication.

But what made him a darling in the Southern African nation is the fact that he managed to forge success in two contrasting professions at the same time.

However, Mazibuko diligently served two masters in his illustrious career as a footballer and a development practitioner.

From 2000 up to 2011, he played for Swallows at the same time working as a transport officer for the Municipal Council of Manzini.

“I had a car, but it was very difficult because on some days traffic was a challenge but I soldiered on and followed my passion of playing football as well as doing another job. It was hectic but exciting at the same time. I gave it my all,” Mazibuko was quoted by PanAfricanFootball.

“There are a lot of factors that forced me to retire because as time went on, it became demanding and I started failing to get time for training since I was working in Manzini and I had to travel to Mbabane for training and in most cases, I would find them finishing up. Of course, I also wanted to retire at my best,” Mazibuko added.

How he managed to navigate the challenges faced by serving two masters at once was a miracle, but that certainly proved that he was a special breed of a footballer.

And despite having demanding schedules from his two employers, Wawa still managed to deliver the best for the Mbabane side, something he feels made him a darling in Eswatini considering that Swallows is one of the most followed team in the country. Until now, Wawa works for Municipal Council of Manzini.

different

“I think I came with a different style of defending, because all along defenders were known for kicking the ball out and I was passing and the fact that I didn’t have speed, but would do the job, and came with tackles which were only seen in South Africa. My determination made everyone to admire and like me.

“By then, I was not a tough player but I was giving the opposition no chance, I was also good at reading the game, communicating and organising my defence well as a captain,” the former Mbabane Swallows skipper said.

In 2002, Wawa enrolled for a development planning diploma at the Central Johannesburg College in South Africa. The 39-year-old continued to show his dedication as he would drive 359 kilometres from Johannesburg to Mbabane to fulfil his team’s weekend fixtures.

“Between 2002 and 2004, I was studying in SA, I used to travel from there every weekend to come and play. Fortunately, we never used to have midweek games and that was a blessing in disguise for me otherwise I could have been in a dilemma. That’s how complicated my work and passion became,” he added.

But for him, it was a dream fulfilled just like any other footballer bred from the dusty streets of Mbabane and Manzini.

“Everything unfolded like a dream. I started playing at a very young age together with my brother when we joined a team called Shepherd Athletics around 1992. That was a youth team from our area, because we were like 10 years. It was a team around the school we were attending.

career

“After six months, we left and joined Midas Mbabane City, a team owned by Reuben ‘Skwaya’ Gwebu, known as King Mosh and that was the beginning of my soccer career there.”

At one point he captained the Eswatini national under-20 team before swapping to Mbabane Swallows in 2000.

“I remember well that in 1991 we played the Chappies Little League and lost in the final then the following year we won it and went on to represent the country in South Africa, where we played against two for Joy and lost. We played at the FNB Stadium,” he said.

“In 1999, I left Midas City for Nkomanzi Sundowns where I only played one season then joined Swallows in 2000 which was a beginning of another long fruitful journey. During that time I also played for the schools national teams and also the under-20 national team, which I was captain,” he added.

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