Peter “Chops” Fanwell
Former Dembare's Goal Keeper
Peter “Chops” Fanwell
By Lovemore Dube 11/11/2022
REPLACING a goalkeeper of Lucky Dube`s stature or his deputy called for one to be of equal measure if not better.
Peter Fanwell arrived at the beginning of 1987 under a weight of expectation on his shoulders to be the next big thing in between the posts at the age of 24. He was to follow the footsteps of Lucky Dube who was Zimbabwe under 20 keeper ahead of Japhet Mparutsa and the likes of Weekly Mwale.
His BAT Rosebowl winning stunt with Bulawayo Wanderers, a move to Bata Power and ultimately another to Dynamos had earned Dube legendary status with a number of league titles and other tournaments.
Dube had sojourned into Africa with club and country and Fanwell was up to filling big shoes.
Fanwell did not walk into the first team without a fight by the end of 1988 he was ready for the big stage as Dynamos sought to lay a claim as the top team in the land.
Black Rhinos won the 1987 championship and the 1988 gong went to Zimbabwe Saints.
Dynamos had hitherto asserted itself as championship permanent boys winning in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1986.
Fanwell was Dynamos number one in 1989 when DeMbare regained league top spot in a season dominated by the striking partnership of Percy Mwase and Stanley Mashezha from his former side Black Aces and Masimba Dinyero who was crowned Soccer Star of the Year.
He won a league and cup double playing alongside Stanley Chirambadare, Angirayi Chapo, Biggie Zuze, Garikai Zuze, Claudius Zviripayi, Clayton Munemo and Henry Chari.
In the FA Cup Dynamos beat Highlanders FC 4-2.
Fanwell had arrived to the big stage at a club that was even expected to win a practice match. Such was the pressure.
A repeat looked in place the following year as Dynamos and Highlanders ran neck to neck for both cup and league.
Bosso won the league race with a number of youngsters Adam and Peter Ndlovu, Benjamin Nkonjera, Makheyi Nyathi and Cleopas Dlodlo who were blessed to have the experienced Mercedes Sibanda, Rahman Gumbo, Alexander Maseko, Benjamin Mpofu and Lazarus Mwambopo.
The biggest match of Fanwell`s career was to be 4 November 1990 at the giant National Sports Stadium.
Bosso who stared relegation the previous season despite being Castle Cup finalists were expected to offer token challenge to DeMbare and Fanwell nicknamed Chops was the man expected to shut out rookies Adam and Peter.
It turned to be a miserable afternoon as Adam fired past Fanwell a hat trick, the third a painful lob over an off the line Dynamos goalkeeper for a 3-1 win for the Bulawayo team.
However Fanwell had done enough to leave himself as the nation`s number one goalkeeper competing with John Sibanda with the legendary Japhet Mparutsa slowing down.
A giant of immense proportions, a real monster to face in goal, towering at almost 1,92m Fanwell commanded his area well. His communication skills were superb and made him a loved personality across the football divide.
He was denied a crowning moment in 1991 when Armando Ferreira then Warriors coach inexplicably changed goalies at the last minute.
In came John Sibanda who let in what appeared to be a harmless cross be headed home by a Congo Brazaville striker.
That goal denied Zimbabwe a maiden appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations finals at the beginning of the Dream Team journey.
Fanwell had the likes of Chapo, Carlos Max, Paul Gundani, Memory Mucherahowa, Adam, Peter, Maseko, Moses Chunga, Max Makanza (Lunga), Willard Khumalo, Mercedes Sibanda, Sherperd Muradzikwa, Agent Sawu, Vitalis Takawira, Claudius Zviripayi and Wilfred Mugeyi on the national team roaster that season.
At club level Fanwell was outstanding with his Dynamos winning the Zifa Cup and league title in 1991.
Dynamos and Fanwell watched Black Aces win the title in 1992 and Highlanders in 1993.
He was back to claim the 1994 and 1995 titles before adding another in 1997 his last season at DeMbare.
Chops was Dynamos manager for a couple of seasons before migrating to the UK where he has been for almost two decades.
Apart from making a name for himself in football, the towering Fanwell was a national league basketball star.
He will take solace in that he passed on the baton to two of the most outstanding goalkeepers from 1998-2003 George Mandizvidza and Gift Muzadzi.
