Story by Mthokozisi Dube
FOOTBALL legend Madinda Ndlovu has poured his heart out after losing his former Warriors and Highlanders teammate Rahman Gumbo who died in Botswana last Friday.
The secret to weakening your opponents in football is to fish from their pond.
This is what exactly happened when Highlanders lured Rahman Gumbo to the black-and-white camp when he was a tricky opponent while turning out for the Eagles where he played alongside his brother Chunky Gumbo.
At Highlanders, he played alongside Warriors legend Madinda Ndlovu and the combination proved to be the best formula for success.
“I first knew Rahman when he was giving us a difficult time playing for a team from Njube which was coached by his father and he played alongside his brother Chunky. Our interactions grew from that day and we had to weaken that team by signing him,” said Madinda.
Blessed with an eye for junior talent, Madinda assembled a formidable side and roped in Gumbo as his assistant in his first spell as Highlanders coach at the turn of the millennium.
Upon Ndlovu’s exit from Highlanders, Gumbo took over and went on to win two league titles before expatriate Eddie May and Methembe Ndlovu sealed two more.
“I am the one who brought him to Highlanders as my assistant and he went on to make history after my departure,” said Ndlovu.
The duo was also part of the famous ‘Warriors Dream Team’ under the late Reinhard Fabisch where they became more than friends.
They later reunited albeit on foreign soil in Botswana as Madinda took charge of Township Rollers while Gumbo was at Gaborone United.
Gumbo proved to be the best student pummelling Ndlovu in a cup final which forced Ndlovu to throw in the towel.
Ndlovu said, “We met in Botswana and what I remember is that he made me resign after beating me in a cup final. I realised on the day that not anyone from my assistants was helping me, so I sensed sabotage.”
Gumbo has left the football fraternity poor as confirmed by Highlanders assistant coach, Joel Luphahla who worked with him at Bosso and national team level when he had turned to coaching.
Luphahla said, “Coach Madinda introduced me to Rush and played a fatherly figure from that day as I was coming from rural Tsholotsho. We had a good time in the national team when he was assistant to Mhofu before eventually taking over. He left at a time when we were still learning from him and Madinda on how to be the best coaches since playing is different from coaching. We later united at Telone although we failed to save the club. Football is poorer without Rush.”
Gumbo’s body is expected in Bulawayo this Thursday ahead of burial on Saturday.
