25/06/2026
"A PROPHET HONORED AT HOME" : THE MARTIN MUCHENA STORY
By Wendson Mavoro
It is often said that a prophet is not honoured in his own hometown. For many years, that sentiment could easily have been applied to Martin Muchena.
Fondly known as "Sekuru", a Shona word meaning uncle, Muchena hails from Mabvuku in Harare, Zimbabwe, where his basketball journey began with Eastern Lakers.
His exceptional basketball IQ, leadership qualities, and deadly shooting ability quickly brought him to the attention of some of Zimbabwe's top clubs.
Before long, he joined Cameo, one of the country's basketball powerhouses, where he continued to establish himself as one of the game's most reliable performers.
The sniper from Mabvuku would go on to represent several notable clubs, including Goldprint Sixers, Varsity Leopards, CBZ Jewels, JBC, Kingdom Cavaliers and Stormers, among others.
As his reputation grew, Muchena became one of the pioneering Zimbabwean basketball players to pursue opportunities beyond his country's borders.
Crossing the Zambezi River in the early 2000s, he arrived in Zambia and quickly made his mark on the local basketball scene.
During his playing career in Zambia, Muchena suited up for some of the country's top clubs, including Barclays Magic (now Matero Magic), Heroes Play United, Chinzam Dragons and Four Seasons.
He eventually concluded his playing career with Matero Warriors, helping the team mount an impressive run that ended with a championship finals appearance.
While collecting championships and accolades in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, another passion was steadily growing within him, the desire to develop players and contribute to the growth of the game.
That passion would ultimately give birth to an illustrious coaching career and transform him into the respected basketball figure many affectionately call Sekuru today.
A hands-on coach with a keen eye for talent development, Muchena's expertise has earned him coaching opportunities in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. However, it is in Zambia where he has left an especially significant mark.
Among his coaching achievements are:
- Winning a league championship with Nets.
- Securing multiple league titles at club level.
- Capturing national championships with Shells.
- Leading Shells to a Club Championship appearance.
- Guiding the Zambia Women's CUCSA basketball team to a gold medal.
- Leading Munali Suns from the B League to the A League.
- Playing a key role in the historic Lusaka Basket Queens team that completed an unbeaten season while winning both the league and championship titles.
- Helping the team successfully defend both titles the following season.
- Guiding UNZA Pacers from the B League to the A League after winning the National B League title and championship.
- Serving on the UNZA Pacers technical bench during the club's historic participation in the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Rwanda.
- Leading ZRA to back-to-back gold medals at the SAIRAG Games in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Despite this impressive résumé, recognition from his homeland appeared to lag behind his accomplishments abroad.
That changed recently when Basketball Union of Zimbabwe Secretary General Ignatious Yesaya announced Muchena's appointment to the Zimbabwe men's national basketball team technical bench.
In a letter dated June 16, 2026, Yesaya revealed that Muchena had been appointed First Assistant Coach of the Zimbabwe men's national team, an appointment many believe is long overdue.
Speaking after accepting the role, Muchena described the opportunity as both an honour and a great responsibility.
"It's really a great opportunity to share knowledge and lead a great nation like Zimbabwe. I am looking forward to the task ahead and ask people to be patient as we put our plans into action. I pray that everyone involved in basketball in Zimbabwe can contribute in different ways. I would like to see us run a deliberate programme to identify and develop height across the country. This is something I have done before, and I know it can also be done in Zimbabwe," said Muchena.
At long last, the prophet has been honoured in his own hometown.
With new leadership taking shape and experienced minds such as Muchena being entrusted with national responsibilities, many will wonder whether this appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Zimbabwean basketball, one that could restore the country's standing on the continental and international stage. Only time will tell.
What is certain, however, is that Zambia and Zimbabwe continue to benefit from a rich exchange of basketball talent because of trailblazers like Muchena, who dared to venture beyond familiar borders in pursuit of growth and opportunity.
His story is about more than basketball. It is the story of a man who transcended colonial boundaries and used sport as a bridge between nations, communities and cultures.
While some may question where his allegiance lies after decades spent contributing to basketball in Zambia, one thing remains beyond doubt: Martin Muchena's loyalty has always been to the game itself.
A game that, in his case, has proven capable of uniting people across borders, cultures and generations.
