September 26, 2024
Stars Zimbabwe lost
WHETHER it is cricket, rugby, golf, soccer or any other sport, matches featuring national teams always bring people together.
As they dance and rejoice at stadiums, huddle around the television or listen to live radio broadcasts, families, friends and relatives are brought together and passionately cheer their team on, hoping for a victory that has the power to galvanise a nation.
As they proudly sing the national anthem while looking at the flag, the players — adorned in the national colours of the country — become the focal point of the supporters.
They carry the hopes of their nation and major tournaments often bring out a sense of patriotism not only for them, but their legion of supporters.
Ironically there are many players that have opted not to play for their countries of birth. The country were they learnt the sport that has made them famous and earned them comfortable lives.
The nation in which a player represents is often a subject of debate. Every player has a story to defend their decision if they decide against playing for their country of birth. The majority however opt for a country that strengthens their chances of winning international honours, give them exposure, and increase their balance sheets or where sports associations have a record of being run professionally and bringing out the best in players.
Zimbabwe is no exception. The country has lost established players who were born, grew up and learnt the sport here before choosing to represent other countries for different reasons.
These include Brain Mujati, Tonderai Chavhanga and Tendai Mtawarira who wore the South African rugby team — Springboks jersey.
Takudzwa Ngwenya
Mujati (34) an established prop from Bulawayo played for the Springboks. However, his test career was cut short when he was declared ineligible to play because he was not legally a South African citizen. He opted to join Northampton Saints to further pursue his rugby career.
He is still a Zimbabwean citizen.
Chavhange (35) from Masvingo has also worn the green and gold jersey.
Mtawarira (33) is a household name in South African rugby. The veteran prop has represented the Sharks for over a decade, making over 160 senior appearances in Super Rugby, and last year become the first ever Springboks prop to earn 100 Test caps.
The Zimbabwe rugby team — the Cheetahs also lost Takudzwa Ngwenya to the United State of America. Ngwenya (33) plays on the wing for the United States national rugby union team and San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby. He made his mark in the 2007 Rugby World Cup for America with tries against South Africa and Samoa.
David Pocock (30) from Gweru is an established openside flanker and vice-captain of the Brumbies in Australia. He has represented Australia — commonly known as the Wallabies and has over 80 caps.
The Cheetahs also lost Micheal Patrick Williams (27) to England. He plays for Leicester Tigers as a lock but he can also play at flanker.
The Bulawayo born star received his first call up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones on August 1, 2016.
Scotland gained Scott Gary who left Zimbabwe for Australia at the age of 18. Gary (41) later moved to play rugby in Scotland. Ironically he won his first Scotland cap against Australia at Murrayfield in 2004
Dave Denton (29) also chose to play for Scotland ahead of Zimbabwe because his mother was born in Glasgow. Dave was born in Marondera and learned the sport that has made him a key player for Leicester Tigers in England’s Premiership Rugby in Zimbabwe. He plays in the back row and can also play in the second row. He has previously played for Edinburgh Rugby in the Pro 12 and for Bath and Worcester Warriors in England.
The Zimbabwe cricket team — the Chevrons lost Zimbabwean born cricketers who learnt the sport in the country but chose to represent other nations.
Zimbabwe lost cricketer Gary Simon Ballance to England. Gary (29) — born in Harare is a left-handed batsman and a leg break bowler, who currently plays for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England.
Everton’s Brendan Galloway
There is also Steven Elworthy, a former South African cricketer, who has fostered a career in administration with Cricket South Africa and the England and Wale cricket board. The Bulawayo born cricketer now 54 years played as a right arm fast-medium bowler
The Chevrons also lost Shane Snater who is now a Dutch cricketer. He made his first-class debut for the Netherlands against Afghanistan in the 2015–17 ICC Intercontinental Cup in July 2016. Shane (23), who still has a lot of years ahead of him, made his List A debut for the Netherlands against Hong Kong in the ICC World Cricket League Championship in February 2017.
Cricketers Tom and Samuel Curran who play cricket in England could have played for Zimbabwe a sport they mastered at Hartman House when they used to stay in Zimbabwe.
Their late father Kevin was a respected cricketer who represented Zimbabwe at the 1983 and 1987 Cricket World Cup. Samuel (20) plays for Surrey and England. He is a left-handed batsman and left-arm medium-fast bowler. The International Cricket Council named him as one of the five breakout stars in men’s cricket in 2018.
Tom (24) his elder brother has represented England in Tests and One Day Internationals. He plays for Surrey in English domestic cricket and the Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League. This season he is playing for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.
There is also Dereck Chisora who is now a British professional boxer. He has held multiple regional heavyweight championships, including the European, British, Commonwealth, WBA International and WBO International titles, and challenged once for the WBC title in 2012. Chisora (35) moved to England with his family in 1999 when he was 16 years.
Zimbabwe also lost Dean Burmester who is now an established South African professional golfer. Burmester (29) was born and raised in Mutare but represents South Africa in golf. He played on the Sunshine Tour where he has won seven times, including the 2015 Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open and the 2017 Tshwane Open. His father Mark Greville Burmester played international cricket for Zimbabwe in the 90s.
There are however players like Everton defender, Brendan Galloway who was born in Zimbabwe but left for England at a very young age and would definitely identify with that country than Zimbabwe.
Galloway (23) has not played a single minute of Premier League football for Everton this season, spending the majority of the campaign with the under-23s.
The former England u21 international’s future at Goodison Park could be uncertain due to none game time.
There is also Lewin Nyatanga who was born to a Zimbabwean father and Welsh mother in Wales. Nyatanga (30) made 34 international appearances for the Wales national team.
He previously held the record for the youngest player to represent Wales when he made his international debut at the age of 17. In February 2018, it was reported he retired from soccer to focus on family life and is now a personal trainer.
He played for Sunderland, Derby County and Bristol City.
There are other promising sports people either born in Zimbabwe or to Zimbabwean parents but based beyond our borders who are yet to decide which country they will represent. Only time will tell.
