Up close with Elvis 'Chuchu' Chiweshe

Talk of 'bending it like Beckam' is a relatively new, but the actual act of free kicks was mastered by the likes of the great Elvis Chuchu Chiweshe. No one can dispute the deadliness of the dead-ball specialist Chiweshe was and we should have had a term like 'curling it like Chuchu'. It was the accuracy, power and venom of the free-kicks that were known as the 'Chuchu specials'. Chuchu played for one of the deadliest Eagles Football Club team of all time, formerly Bulawayo Wanderers.

e-Diski: Chuchu, hello and long time.

Chuchu: Hello to you and all e-Diski readers and followers.

e-Diski: I am blessed by your presence and thanks for taking your time for the interview.

Chuchu: You are welcome anytime, but sorry for taking so much time to avail myself.

e-Diski: I understand. I have been in football before and there isn't much free time. So where are you based now?

Chuchu: I am here in Botswana.

e-Diski: Do you have any family?

Chuchu: Yes, I have.

e-Diski: What are you doing now?

Chuchu: I am coaching.

e-Diski: Who?

Chuchu: Gaborone United.

e-Diski: What was your favourite nickname?

Chuchu: Chuchu.

e-Diski: How did you get it?

Chuchu: It came from my middle name ISHMAEL. My brothers could not pronounce this name when we were still young. They could only say CHUCHUMAEL.

e-Diski: Wow, that's interesting. I am not sure many people know that. When was your defining or breakthrough moment in football?

Chuchu: It was in 1983.

e-Diski: Where were you and what were you doing before then?

Chuchu: I was in Bulawayo and playing for a bus company team called Z.O.C (Zimbabwe Omnibus Company).

e-Diski: What was your memorable moment?

Chuchu: My national team debut. I was called to play for the national team and it was such an honour. I always gave it my best shot and enjoyed it very much.

e-Diski: What was the regrettable moment?

Chuchu: When I was red-carded while playing for Zimbabwe in Ethiopia in 1987. I felt I let the team down.

e-Diski: Who was your best teammate to play with?

Chuchu: There were so many fantastic players during our days. A lot of them.

e-Diski: Can you give us one name, please?

Chuchu: Garikai Zuze of Dynamos. He was an excellent midfielder and man.

e-Diski: And  your toughest opponent?

Chuchu: Japheth Mparutsa. He was one of the finest goalkeepers of all time.

e-Diski: What do you think of the game today?

Chuchu: It is a scientific sport and a lot of detail is in the game now.

e-Diski: Which is the best football team at the moment?

Chuchu: Dynamos.

e-Diski: Who is the best player?

Chuchu: Cuthbert Malajila.

e-Diski: What music do you listen to?

Chuchu: Gospel music. I listen to a lot of Zimbabwean artists.

e-Diski: Which is your favourite movie?

Chuchu: The Fugitive.

e-Diski: And actor?

Chuchu: Harrison Ford.

e-Diski: Thanks very much for your time and chat, and may God bless you.

Chuchu: God bless you too.

His team-mates at Eagles 'Mazhiya', then included Boy Ndlovu, Stoneshed Moyo, Tanny Bando, Lazarus Mwambopo, Tito and Francis Paketh and Clement Balanda among others. He went on to play for Dynamos to end a very colourful career. He has coaching qualifications and coached Dynamos after hanging his boots. A man of few words and very humble.