26/06/2020
Biggie Zuze "Bindura Part 1". Nzou. 6 years later I had to first check if I was still Admin of this page before sitting down to write - about a good man. A co-worker broke the news to me via a WhatsApp message. "Nedza Biggie Zuze ka" was the message. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Ndakapusa, ndikashamisika, ndikarwadziwa and I just stared at my phone in disbelief. Then a colleague I had been talking to asked 'Kwakanaka?". Of course kwanga kusina. How does such a good man disappear just like that ?.
Affectionately we all knew him as Nzou, his totem. I got to know about Biggie in the press and radio football commentary when I was a young boy in Torwood, Redcliff. Years later it was humbling to be working with such a popular figure. Biggie Zuze joined Monoz in 2012 from Blue Ribbon Stars after being roped in as assistant by Tawurayi Mangwiro. Those of us who had watched Blue Ribbon FC play will attest to their flair and passing game under Misheck Marimo, assisted by Nzou. I had no doubt that Nzou would fit into the Monoz system of play – passing, passing and passing kusvika bhora raponja. We had two proponents of the passing game on our bench - Tawu and Nzou.
Tau left, as coaches do, and took up a bigger challenge elsewhere. Up stepped Nzou for Head Coach post. He never disappointed. The passing, the flair, the winning and the exciting game that was synonymous with Monoz continued. 2012 certainly passes as one of Monoz's best season under Nzou. Highlanders fans dont want to be reminded about that season as twice Nzou snatched "morsels of food" right off their mouths. First it was the 3-0 drubbing that all but put them out of the championship race and the final nail was the 3-2 defeat at the Colliery that sent Highlanders crashing out of the cash rich Mbada Diamonds Cup. A 3rd place finish and Mbada Diamonds Cup final capped Nzou's first season as Head Coach. A shield for Most Disciplined Team was also Monoz’s that year. Well done Nzou !
There was something about Monoz that made it feel like Family or home. Nzou, amongst other things, was the reason Monoz was the Family we all loved. He seemed to have no emotions. If he did then he only had positive emotions. He only showed emotions when he celebrated wins or celebrated the graduation of a youngster into the first team. Never sad.
Having played for the country's biggest and most successful team and leaving an indelible footprint Biggie still remained humble. His humility surprisingly tagged along serious humour. The man had jokes, on and off the field. This writer travelled thousands of kilometres with Nzou to almost every stadium in the country. He was a rib cracker. If you didn’t want to laugh then you just had to sit far from Nzou.
Whenever I go to Alex Sports Club I see a number of colleagues there, Taurai Jacobs Agogo, Rangarirai Chakweva, Dallas Gladman Sekawawana, Godfrey Japajapa, Patrick Matogo Muteswa, Spencer Manguwa, the list is endless. Diego Machingura also teases from his Jo’burg base. They say Chakamakwa ka ? in apparent reference to Monoz’s nickname CHINOMAKWA NANI. My response always is "Chakamakwa ne cash". I'm mentioning this because Monoz was relegated under the stewardship of Nzou. I didn't and still don't believe that Monoz's relegation was because of deficiency on the bench. NO ! There were UNDERLYING CIRCUMSTANCES - sponsorship. Biggie played his part.
As Nzou went about his craft he didn’t go unnoticed. His first seal of approval was from Triangle FC, his preferred employer of the 4 who offered him jobs, after the demise of Monoz. Gishon Ntini’s (may he rest in peace) milestone at Triangle was promotion into the PSL. Nzou was to add yet another accolade to the Sugar Boys’ cabinet – The One Wallet Cup. His troops from the Monoz side didn’t disappoint either as all but one of the 30 players were snapped up by Premier League teams. NZOU RAN A GOOD RACE for Monoz in particular and football in general. Death is a cruel thief and has yet again robbed us of a brother, friend, father, coach.
FARE THEE WELL NZOU – OUR GAFFER. REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
You will be sadly missed by all of us.
