Itai Masawi (left), the legendary Stix Mtizwa (centre) and former Rhinos right back Brighton Chandisaita
Lovemore Dube, CHIEF WRITER
FORMER Eagles, Black Rhinos and Highlanders FC skillful right back Itai Masawi, believes legendary Warriors midfielder, Stanford ‘Stix’ Mtizwa was good enough to play in any league abroad.
Masawi met Mtizwa at Bulawayo Chiefs and Black Rhinos Premier Soccer League clash at Luveve Stadium for the first time in 20 years.
Masawi upon retirement from the army followed the great trek to South Africa and is in the country on private business.
He grew up marvelling at a talented brigade of midfielders who included Joel Shambo, Antony Kambani and Mtizwa.
When he arrived at Black Rhinos in 1994, Mtizwa was Roy Barrrto’s assistant.
“I played with the generation that came after Stix that was the likes of Jack Mtandagari, Stephen Jonhera, Cosmos Kabote, Alan Gwaze, Ian Gorowa, Emmanuel Mutimba, Farai Kahembe, Douglas Ndalama, Sifiso Mguni, Cassius Siziba, Bhekinkosi Ndlovu, Geoffrey Ndlovu, Darlington Phiri, Peter Matoro, Nesbert Saruchera, Sanduka Pakamisa and briefly with Maronga Nyangela. “Stix started coaching me as an assistant to Roy Baretto and being a midfield magician he was he liked me a lot and was always encouraging me to take on strikers,” said Itai brother to former Highlanders talented and intelligent striker Thabani.
He described Mtizwa’s influence as similar to that of another legend he watched and got to be coached by Majuta Mpofu.
“He also liked skillful players. He had a huge influence in our generation as we grew up watching his combination with Joel Shambo, Anthony Kambani and Stanley Ndunduma.
“They were the chest control masters and I remember when growing up ezikwakweni if you happened to chest control guys would call out ‘Stike’. Stix could rate as the best midfielder of all time in this country. “He could have easily played at any European league because he had the vision, control and could dictate the pace of the game and also had an eye for goal,” said Itai.
In his playing days Mtizwa won the FA Cup several times with Caps United and added the league title with Black Rhinos.
He was capped over 40 times between 1980 and 1989.
His Caps United rates among the best ever midfield and striking combinations as he had Ndunduma, Shambo, Friday Phiri, Shaky Tauro, Isaac Mafaro and Tobias Moyo in the mix.
When he moved to Rhinos he made strikers like Nyangela, Jimmy Mbewe and Jerry Chidawa flourish because of his industry in the middle of the park.
