Born and bred in a community where one of its own who was crowned Soccer Star of the Year five times, ZPC Kariba defender Ian Nekati also has followed the footsteps of his father the late Tobias Sibanda who played for Caps United in the early 90s.
Glen- Norah community, the home of Ian Nekati who has been recently selected to be among the best 11 players for the 2019 season is also the hood of George”Mastermind ” Shaya who played in the late 60s for Dynamos FC.
When one grows up, it is easy to emulate what the old folks would be doing if it leaves one on the A-List.Ian Nekati’s father Tobias”Rock Steady”, made a name for himself at Caps United as he was among the talented players at the club.
Although in those days soccer was not paying well , the yester year footballers were celebrities. Every young player wanted one day to be like the old guys who mesmerized in the top flight league.
Shaya was crowned Soccer Star of the Year five times, the inaugural one in 1969, in 9172 ,including three years in a row in 1975, 1976 and in 1977.Speaking on the Soccer Stars selection, he emphasized the need for the selection to be transparent and fair.
“Journalists should also travel to stadiums outside Harare so that they should have a vivid picture of how other PSL players would be perfuming at their home grounds.It is not good to have among the best eleven ,only players from Harare clubs”, said the soccer legend in an interview at his home in Glen-Norah.
Many football greats have their children following in the footsteps for example internationally Leicester City’s goal keeper Kasper Schmeichel in the Premier League is son to the legendary goal keeper Peter Schmeichel who played Manchester United.
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