With a Jimi Hendrix-inspired afro, Ephraim Dzimbiri danced his way to defensive greatness, his electrifying presence on the left flank leaving opponents bewildered and fans in awe, a true maestro of the backline.
Dzimbiri was a brilliant left back, a true master of the beautiful game, writes sports journalist Fanuel Viriri.
They is still debate about who was the best left back between Dzimbiri and Dynamos’ Oliver ‘Flying Saucer’ Kateya. Well its a story for another day.
Dzimbiri was a chubby left back and most of the time opponents would fooled by his body.
Nobert Zimuto who played with him at Ziscosteel said Dzimbiri’s body was deceiving but was one of the toughest players and put a lot in training and matches.
“That body (Dzimbiri’s) was deceiving. He could literally run non stop at training and during actual game matches, ” Zimuto said.
Zimuto played alongside Dzimbiri in a star studded side Zisco side coached by a UK FA trained gaffer Morrison Sifelani, the likes of James Takavada and Roderick Muganhiri.
Sifelani also had a white collar job at ZISCO he was the company’s public relations manager.
Takavada and Dzimbiri were best friends at Zisco and worked as artisans at the Redcliff steel company.
In 1984 Takavada; a right back was voted the Soccer Star of the Year while Dzimbiri was among the 11 finalists.
Dzimbiri together with friend Takavada played for the junior and senior national teams.
In 1982, Dzimbiri, Takavada and Asani Karingeni were called to the Under 20 team by coach Mick Pools assisted by Cremio Mapfumo and had trials in Bulawayo and Harare as centres to play host to the exercise of identifying talent for the first-ever Zimbabwe Under-20.
Zimbabwe faced Malawi in the Fifa World Cup Youth qualifiers later that year.
Takavada, a great player, an overlapping right back good at marking and overlapping, was a great crosser of the ball, Karigeni a versatile player who could play as right back too, was a skilful and stylish guy, typical of a BulawayoWanderers where self-expression on the ball and pitch appeared a pre-requisite.
Dzimbiri, a robust left footer, provided for some exciting folklore stuff where even to this day his 2-3 partnership with Takavada is regarded highly, as is their entire back four with Ephraim Moloi and Benedict Moyo at club level.
Dzimbiri was also a legendary ball thrower and was the on trusted for the throw ins.
Dzimbiri was a regular in the Zimbabwe national team. He also played for CAPS United. He is also the father of Clarkson who played in the modern PSL for CAPS United and Shabanie Mine. #fblifestyle