Jotham Moyo: Utility player who was most feared

Do not call him Jotham Moyo but Big Joe because the slender tall body is no longer there. In its place is a legendary player who could play in any position but not in between the sticks.

His glittering football career started at Glassblock primary school in Gwanda in 1963. Notably, his commanding height and ability to thwart opposition with ease earned him the name Big Joe. The name gained popularity in the length and breadth of the country. Even now almost everyone knows him by it.

Being an ambitious, sharp minded little boy Big Joe enrolled for a Stores Management course in Bulawayo while on the lookout out for a team that he could join. His desire was to join Highlanders FC (Matabeleland United) but a sudden change of heart saw him joining Imbizo ka Matshobane FC. This was an outfit which was part of Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (Bafa).

He talks fondly of the players that he played alongside at Mbizo.

"There was Lizwe Matshazi who was famous for his marauding runs. His runs were a good avenue of attack and he was known for his long range shots that he unleashed at the 20-metre yard. He was capable of shooting and passing with either foot," he recalls with a chuckle.

In that team there was Marshal Mhlanga who was a player-coach. He vividly remembers that Mhlanga was a strict player-coach.

"Mhlanga would bring you on as a substitute and if you mess up he would recall you. Just imagine the embarrassment that one faces as a player. But his people's management didn't demotivate us, instead it motivated us to give it our all in the field of play. Much credit goes to him for that moulded me into a respected player," he says.

The match that stands out for him was when his side clashed against Wedza United.

"It was on a Saturday afternoon. The match was played at BF, there was a mixture of supporters from the teams that were dotted around the city. A Wedza United player scored. We quickly retaliated but it seems the United player was intent on revenging as he scored a set piece before half-time," he warmly recounts.

He says in the second stanza his side came back a determined side and hungry for success. Big Joe proved to be a vital piece in the puzzle as he produced sublime performances that were capped with a fine goal. That goal put his team in the driving seat and the match ended like that. The win brightened the chances of having a much anticipated dance in the top flight league – South Zone League.

Unfortunately that battle of supremacy left the bulk of Imbizo Ka Matshobane arsenal hit with injuries. The midfield department was the hardest hit. Be that as it may, Big Joe became a favourite choice to be thrown in the midfield area.

"I easily adapted as I had once covered up for the injured Stephen Ncube. I executed myself well in that position and that built my confidence and confidence of the coach," he says.

One of his vivid memories of his career at Mbizo was when Mhlanga was fouled for a crude tackle at Eastern Rovers FC player. The referee did not hesitate to red-card him. That turned the match into a chaotic scene which resulted in the match being abandoned.

The tall legendary player bitterly recalls, "We were suspended for a year and six months."

His undeniable flair in playing in any role, thwarting opposition and commanding height was a plus for him to join Bulawayo Rockets.

He said he spent two years at Bulawayo Rockets. That outfit had the likes of Contrad Nkomazana, Nicodemus Mabhena, Dumisani Ngwenya and Kingston Phiri. He said the aforementioned players formed the mainstay of the team. At the time the side was mentored by Peter Ngwenya and the manager was May Mahlangu.

Big Joe was a defender but as the brand of play switched so did his position, from the middle of the park to being one of the forwards yet his performances did not dip. He remained the reliable Big Joe, still "if reliable was even the word," says former Highlanders legendary player Edward Dzowa, who saw him during his hey days.

desirous of a job in Stores Management the ambitious player packed his bags and joined elite side — West Coast FC in South Zone League.

How was the remuneration at the time? He shares "We were paid $5 for a win and $2,50 for a draw and we were not given anything for a loss."

He picks out Teddy Nyoni, David Phiri Philemon Nsingo and Christopher Moyo as his best players at West Coast.

Veteran coach Ali "Baba" Dube says Big Joe had influence on the game. "His forceful runs provided a great avenue for attack, not only for him to cross the ball but for his teammates to occupy the space vacated by the opposition player and their attacking sortie," said Ali "Baba" as he is popularly known.

He wound back the hands of time with a bitter memory when his side clashed against Highlanders in a Zifa Cup. His side was beaten 3-1.

"It was on a Sunday afternoon, the sky was overcast when we clashed against big brothers in town at BF. On that particular day the coaches thrust me in the centre-back position. In the heat of the moment I tried to thwart marauding Majuta Mpofu, now late. We clashed and he dislocated a knee .He was stretchered off the pitch. The hungry for success Highlanders supporters waited for me by the gate and I had to be whisked away by the police," he recalls.

The defender was heralded as one of the most exciting defensive prospects in the game and a match against Gweru United was a caborn copy of his exploits.

"I vividly remember when we played against Gweru United, to beat my chest in self praise on that day I played an instrumental role. I scored two goals and that sealed victory for our side," he says.

For his top drawer performances Big Joe was voted the man of the match. His star shone even brighter till the end of the year.

For his sterling performances he became a soccer star finalist.

He had to quit soccer at the age of 33. Big Joe believes the PSL strikers are not giving their all.

"I believe the current crop of forwards are not giving their all and they rarely shoot in the 20-metre yard, a flair which was common in the yesteryear players," he said.

Big Joe is involved in developmental soccer in his rural home of Gwanda. During school holidays he organises soccer galas which involve teams like Jekwa, Sengukwe, Dema and Mhlangeni.

Big Joe says he has a dream of seeing one of his products turning out for one of the teams in the elite league.

"There is a lot of talent which goes unnoticed in rural areas and I hope talent scouts could come and tap the abundant talent which in most cases die a natural death," he said.

He has turned into full-time farming and ekes a handsome living off it. Big Joe was born in 1952 in Gwanda. He is married to Musa Ncube and has six children. They are Sitshengisiwe, Mbekezeli, Kwanele, Sizwile, Zibusiso and Zidumiso. He is a committed member of Guta Ra Mwari church.