Image: YouTube
Born in 1962, John (JP) Phiri is one of the household name as far yesteryear footballerd is concerned who also played for the promising squad ‘Dream Team’ under Reinhard Fabisch, where he rose to fame operating in the defence department.
Phiri had a very fruitful football career featuring for a number of clubs in and outside the country.
He also played for the national team, the Warriors while playing under the great German coach Fabisch.
He played side by side with other great defenders such as Henry McKop and Ephraim Chawanda, the team had one of the most strong defense walls and even managed a home record of 13 matches without a loss.
In his early years, Phiri also played for Mangula, as well as State House Tornadoes (1983), and Darryn Textiles in Zimbabwe, before heading to Europe.
He missed a chance to sign for English side Nottingham Forest, and signed for Polish side Miliarder Pniewy in 1993 instead, along with Norman Mapeza.
He first played for the national team in 1982, against Malawi and after that played regularly until the 1990s.
Official figures recorded 94 matches, four less than Coventry City star Peter Ndlovu, but he believes he played a lot more.
Football analysis, Phiri is also a notable personality in the country’s football fraternity where he is a regular guest on ZBC TV as a soccer analyst.
ZIFA Bid: In 2013 it was reported that Phiri had filed his papers for consideration for various positions within the football governing body.
In 2014 he was appointed a ZIFA board member concentrating on development.
Years active and teams played for: 1979–1982 Rio Tinto, 1983–1986 State House Tornados, 1987–1989 Dynamos, 1990–1993, Darryn T, 1993–1994, Sokół Pniewy, 1994–1995, Warta Poznan, 1996–1997 Ajax Cape Town, International career Zimbabwe.