The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi Sports Correspondent —
FOR Dangamvura-bred emerging football star Lincoln Mangayira, to graft is part of being a defensive midfielder but combining it with craft is an art of the game.
The combative link-man thrives to be effective in both the defensive and offensive halves of the pitch as he puts in the hard yards in chewing every blade of the grass, often sacrificing sweet for sweat as the heartbeat that gives a pulse to his team’s play.
Gifted with athleticism, Mangayira is a box-to-box midfielder that approaches the game with tigerish relish when he leads other lads in his side during the team’s shift from defence to attack.
Such rare attributes all rolled into one fine footballer saw the Mutare-born footballer overshadow the other players with peerless distinction at the Alois Bunjira Gazzaman Tournament recently held in Honde Valley, during which he won the golden ball.
For his industry in the middle of the park, Mangayira was crowned Player-of-the-Tournament and walked away with a training kit following a stellar performance that saw him spearheading the cause of his team Zero Stars from Nyanga all the away to the final where they agonisingly lost 4-3 on penalties to eventual champions Hauna Sweepers.
In an interview with The Weekender, the 19-year-old said participation at the Gazzaman Tournament and the recognition that came with his individual award had readied him for the next step and cleared another path for his budding career.
“First, I am grateful to have been part of the Zero Stars team that took part at Bunjira’s tournament because it provided me and several other talented but unrecognised players with a platform to showcase their potential.
“That prominent coaches like the championship-winning pair of Lloyd Chitembwe and Norman Mapeza came to watch the action was additional motivation because it inspired us a lot to aim higher. Who knows who else was watching; maybe there were some scouts from different clubs who could have spotted some raw talent they might be keen to take to their clubs.
“Each time I step out onto the pitch, the desire is always to help my team win matches and I am happy that we did well as Zero Stars as we came out second best out of the nine teams that participated. I am eager to build on from this unforgettable experience and reach another level as I continue with the development of my game and journey in football,” said the right-footed star, who is equally comfortable playing as a defensive linkman as he is as centre-back.
For Mangayira, this was also a career-defining moment and he is now looking forward to inking his first professional contract after having Buffaloes — under the auspices of the then coach Saul Chaminuka and his assistant Joseph “Shabba” Takaringofa — run the rule over him, while Mutare City Rovers also briefly had a look at him.
Gritty and yet graceful, the deep-lying midfield dynamo moulds his game around that of his childhood hero — former Real Madrid, Chelsea and France superstar Claude Makelele whom he idolised growing up — and thrives on sheer aggression, usually going about his business with the elegance of an elephant.
The former Sheni Primary and Dangamvura High pupil, who is also blessed with sublime passing range, has set 2017 as a watershed year and should he stay clear of injuries, will be getting his professional career going with an established club.
“It is important that my parents are on my side and have been encouraging me all this while during my many football strides since I started playing the game very early in school. With age still on my side, I have to continue working hard with determination to reach for my goals as I am taking the game seriously,” said Mangaira, a Barcelona and FC platinum fan.
