PETER Ndlovu from his base in South Africa, Benjani Mwaruwari from his base in England and Norman Mapeza deep in the mix. The first African footballer to play in the English Premiership. The first Zimbabwean footballer to cost more than £4m.
The first Zimbabwean outfield footballer to play in the UEFA Champions League. All of them former captains of the Warriors, all of them former players in various European top-flight leagues. Unlike King Peter and Benjani, Mapeza didn’t play in the English Premiership.
And, it’s not because he didn’t make the grade, but he was a victim of work permit complications. Harry Redknapp wanted to sign him at West Ham, where he made a big impression on Rio Ferdinand, after the two played together in central defence at a training session. But, he impressed in the Champions League, in the colours of Turkish giants Galatasaray, unfazed by the brutality of a battle against the likes of World Cup winner Romario.
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Of course, King Peter starred in the English Premiership, a pioneer African footballer who became the first player from this continent to score a hat-trick against Liverpool at Anfield. For the first time since they left this country to pursue interests elsewhere, the Golden Trinity have been reunited in the domestic Premiership. Peter and Mapeza have formed a tag-team at Scottland where, among the targets, is a successful defence of the league title, and a good run in the CAF Champions League.
The Flying Elephant has already enjoyed success in the same competition during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns where, among other things, he worked as team manager. Mapeza is the head coach and, after winning silverware outside the capital in recent years, he is back home to try and write similar success stories.
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