Opinion / Columnist
Interview with Alexander Zanda Maseko the Cool Ruler
06 Dec 2013 at 21:27hrs | Views
The Hey Days; Alexander Maseko, Netsai Moyo, Ernest Maphepha with CAPS United Duo of Joel Shampo and Shaky Tauro
They say memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. That is why all the games of the football team I grew up not only supporting but frantically paying homage to, is still stuck in my memory with the animation as clear as a crystal pokemon episode. That football club is affectionately known as Hayilanga Tshilamoya Bosso Amahlolanyama.
I still got fond childhood memories living in the Sigangatsha area of Kezi. I remember, waking up early in the morning on Christmas days, the faint cool kiss of sensuality when dew came onto my cheeks and shins as I pace down the wet green grass paths in the early morning, heading towards the neighbouring village to borrow some batteries (cells), for it would be the big match day at 3pm.
The most memorable of all the Bosso games was when Highlanders had lost the first leg to the team of the moment Black Aces, popularly manned by the likes of William, Wilfred 'The Silver Fox' Mugeyi, and Young Charlie Kaseke. "I WILL SHUT OUT THOSE TWINS" ALEXANDER THE COOL RULER MASEKO; read the Bulawayo Chronicle back page. Come match day, Zanda did not only stand firm like the Rock of Gibraltar, he sent the Mugeyi twins chasing shadows the whole 90 minutes while the Bulawayo Bullet Peter Nsukuzonke Ndlovu effectively demolished the Black Aces defence to send Tshilamoya to victory with the fans' deafening chants of 'Ngubani Owayekhona Mhla kudlaliBosso iTshilamoya'
If for real memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose, then our memories are the things we want to hold onto the most and if we don't make any then how are we going to hold onto them? This is the reason why today I took it upon myself to go down memory lane. The best way to do it was to approach the man who was in the thick of things at that time- Alexander Zanda Maseko The Cool Ruler.
Alex Maseko is part of the newly created Facebook page the Zimbabwean Footballers in the Diaspora. The objective of the page is identifying footballers of Zimbabwean descent playing in overseas, who are currently not playing for our country with the aim of bringing the boys home. The organisation is looking forward to act as mediators between Zifa and some of those young boys. Most of these young and upcoming footballers who grew up in Europe have no idea about Zimbabwe football and will always dream of playing for their countries of residence. The organisation realise it will take a bit of hard work to convince them to play for Zimbabwe and will be the right team to trigger their patriotism. The organisation also intend to get funds to host something a soccer star of the year gala (similar to Zim Achievers Awards).
Good afternoon
You haven't changed much since 1986, what is the secret?
The Secret is keeping fit and staying away from booze and womanizing.
Tell me who is Alexander Maseko? Place of birth and schools attended
I was born in Luveve Clinic, I did my primary education at Mafakela P School and my high school was Mpopoma High.
Which was your first professional club?
My first pro club was Highlanders FC.
When and how did you join Highlander Bosso?
I joined Bosso in 1984 but broke into the first team ranks in 1985 after being bought from DRG Vikings.
Which do you rate your best game in a Bosso shirt?
It's hard to identify my best game because I enjoyed all games I played.
Which do you rank the worst?
But the worst games were losing to Zimbabwe Saints, because we were city arch rivals.
How did you get the nickname The Cool Ruler?
The name Cool Ruler came after my coolness when tackling strikers and then dribble past them.
How many games did you play for the national team?
I can't really recall but I think it was about 35 to 40 games .
How did you join Mamelodi Sundowns?
I was scouted during my stay in Harare by Robert Gumede.
How did you become the player you were?
Discipline on and off the field and respecting our supporters.
Who has been the toughest opponent in your career?
My toughest opponent was Moses Chunga but at the same time I could neutralize him
Given a second chance, what area of your game do you think you need to improve the most?
Given a second chance I would demand to be paid a huge salary because I never had any problems on the pitch.
Given a second chance, who would you like to be coached by and why?
I would like to be coached by Ferguson, he knows how to motivate players.
Who is the best player in Zimbabwe and in the world?
Best player in Zimbabwe would be Bruce Kangwa and in the world it's Lionel Messi.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in football?
Biggest inspiration was my Father, he was nicknamed Thutha Ngolovane.
Do you think Zimbabwe has enough talent to win anything?
Zimbabwe has the enough talent but needs better organisation.
Which do you rate the best Zimbabwean national team of all time and why?
The best team even if we never qualified for the world cup was during the times of Shacky Tauro, Stix, Ndunduma, Willard, Chawanda, Bully, Friday Phiri, John Phiri, just to name a few.
Which team were you a fan of when you were 12?
When growing up I used to love Caps United.
If you weren't a footballer, what would you have been?
If I never played soccer I think I would have been a psychaetrist.
Who are your favourite Hollywood actor and actress?
Hollywood actors are Jacky Chan, Sylvester Stallone, and Actresses, Sharon Stone, Jessica Alba.
What sort of music do you listen to?
Music-wise I am not choosey but my favourite is R&B.
Which is your favourite country in the world?
I would love to live in Spain though I have never been there.
Do you see yourself in high level coaching in years' time?
Coaching not my cup of tea but management.
What do you like to do in your free time away from football?
During my spare time I like watching movies and just cleaning my car
Where is the most amazing place football has taken you?
The most amazing place soccer has taken me to is Germany.
Football wise, what is the difference between now and during your time?
The difference between now and then, is, by then, football was led by passion but now it's business.
What's your career advice for young talent out there?
To the youngsters, Respect plays a major role in anything you want to do. Respect your elders the rest will follow.
I still got fond childhood memories living in the Sigangatsha area of Kezi. I remember, waking up early in the morning on Christmas days, the faint cool kiss of sensuality when dew came onto my cheeks and shins as I pace down the wet green grass paths in the early morning, heading towards the neighbouring village to borrow some batteries (cells), for it would be the big match day at 3pm.
The most memorable of all the Bosso games was when Highlanders had lost the first leg to the team of the moment Black Aces, popularly manned by the likes of William, Wilfred 'The Silver Fox' Mugeyi, and Young Charlie Kaseke. "I WILL SHUT OUT THOSE TWINS" ALEXANDER THE COOL RULER MASEKO; read the Bulawayo Chronicle back page. Come match day, Zanda did not only stand firm like the Rock of Gibraltar, he sent the Mugeyi twins chasing shadows the whole 90 minutes while the Bulawayo Bullet Peter Nsukuzonke Ndlovu effectively demolished the Black Aces defence to send Tshilamoya to victory with the fans' deafening chants of 'Ngubani Owayekhona Mhla kudlaliBosso iTshilamoya'
If for real memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose, then our memories are the things we want to hold onto the most and if we don't make any then how are we going to hold onto them? This is the reason why today I took it upon myself to go down memory lane. The best way to do it was to approach the man who was in the thick of things at that time- Alexander Zanda Maseko The Cool Ruler.
Alex Maseko is part of the newly created Facebook page the Zimbabwean Footballers in the Diaspora. The objective of the page is identifying footballers of Zimbabwean descent playing in overseas, who are currently not playing for our country with the aim of bringing the boys home. The organisation is looking forward to act as mediators between Zifa and some of those young boys. Most of these young and upcoming footballers who grew up in Europe have no idea about Zimbabwe football and will always dream of playing for their countries of residence. The organisation realise it will take a bit of hard work to convince them to play for Zimbabwe and will be the right team to trigger their patriotism. The organisation also intend to get funds to host something a soccer star of the year gala (similar to Zim Achievers Awards).
Good afternoon
You haven't changed much since 1986, what is the secret?
The Secret is keeping fit and staying away from booze and womanizing.
Tell me who is Alexander Maseko? Place of birth and schools attended
I was born in Luveve Clinic, I did my primary education at Mafakela P School and my high school was Mpopoma High.
Which was your first professional club?
My first pro club was Highlanders FC.
When and how did you join Highlander Bosso?
I joined Bosso in 1984 but broke into the first team ranks in 1985 after being bought from DRG Vikings.
Which do you rate your best game in a Bosso shirt?
It's hard to identify my best game because I enjoyed all games I played.
Which do you rank the worst?
But the worst games were losing to Zimbabwe Saints, because we were city arch rivals.
How did you get the nickname The Cool Ruler?
The name Cool Ruler came after my coolness when tackling strikers and then dribble past them.
How many games did you play for the national team?
I can't really recall but I think it was about 35 to 40 games .
I was scouted during my stay in Harare by Robert Gumede.
How did you become the player you were?
Discipline on and off the field and respecting our supporters.
Who has been the toughest opponent in your career?
My toughest opponent was Moses Chunga but at the same time I could neutralize him
Given a second chance, what area of your game do you think you need to improve the most?
Given a second chance I would demand to be paid a huge salary because I never had any problems on the pitch.
Given a second chance, who would you like to be coached by and why?
I would like to be coached by Ferguson, he knows how to motivate players.
Who is the best player in Zimbabwe and in the world?
Best player in Zimbabwe would be Bruce Kangwa and in the world it's Lionel Messi.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in football?
Biggest inspiration was my Father, he was nicknamed Thutha Ngolovane.
Do you think Zimbabwe has enough talent to win anything?
Zimbabwe has the enough talent but needs better organisation.
Which do you rate the best Zimbabwean national team of all time and why?
The best team even if we never qualified for the world cup was during the times of Shacky Tauro, Stix, Ndunduma, Willard, Chawanda, Bully, Friday Phiri, John Phiri, just to name a few.
Which team were you a fan of when you were 12?
When growing up I used to love Caps United.
If you weren't a footballer, what would you have been?
If I never played soccer I think I would have been a psychaetrist.
Who are your favourite Hollywood actor and actress?
Hollywood actors are Jacky Chan, Sylvester Stallone, and Actresses, Sharon Stone, Jessica Alba.
What sort of music do you listen to?
Music-wise I am not choosey but my favourite is R&B.
Which is your favourite country in the world?
I would love to live in Spain though I have never been there.
Do you see yourself in high level coaching in years' time?
Coaching not my cup of tea but management.
What do you like to do in your free time away from football?
During my spare time I like watching movies and just cleaning my car
Where is the most amazing place football has taken you?
The most amazing place soccer has taken me to is Germany.
Football wise, what is the difference between now and during your time?
The difference between now and then, is, by then, football was led by passion but now it's business.
What's your career advice for young talent out there?
To the youngsters, Respect plays a major role in anything you want to do. Respect your elders the rest will follow.
Source - Titshabona Malaba Ncube
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