Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa former Black Rhinos Player and Coach

Stix Mtizwa

By Lovemore Dube

THE history of Zimbabwe football would be incomplete without the mention of midfield magician Stix Mtizwa, a genius unlucky not to play abroad.

In full flight he had no peer, as his artistry and genius on the field was probably second to none.

His magic in 1987 in the World Military Games in Italy, opened the path for Moses Chunga to play in Belgium.

El Aast scouts had seen Mtizwa turn out for Zimbabwe Armed Forces. They had resolved to send a club representative to seal the deal.

While in Harare, the representative was told of Moses Chunga.

So they signed both players and Mtizwa has his contract to this date.

Ashton Nyazika and other army bosses conspired to block the talented midfielder’s move to Europe.

Born in Harare on 31 August 1958, Mtizwa came through the mill, starting his career at Youth Clubs and Dynamos Juniors.

He was with the likes of David Mandigora and journalist Tendai Ndemera in the Dynamos Juniors.

He would also play for Mutambara FC and Glen Strikers in the Rhodesia National Football League elite division.

Caps Rovers later to change to Caps United, came calling for a number of players at Glens.

Coach Nyazika made a demand that included him in the package and off to Caps United the entourage went the coach with Mtizwa and others.

While Mtizwa joined a Caps side that was hungry for glory with a number of stars who were keen on football glory.

A side with Saidi Twaliki, Stanley Ndunduma, Joel Shambo, Stephen Chisango, Charles Sibanda and Shaky Tauro, the foundation was laid bare for success to follow.

It was not long before Caps United provided poster boys with the North Zone league title.

That success would lead to a national league play off with South Zone champions Zimbabwe Saints FC.

Caps won their first league honours in 1979 and would wait to return to the podium in the mid 1990s under Steve Kwashi.

But prior to the league honours, Caps wrote themselves into football folklore when as underdogs they claimed the 1979 Chibuku Trophy beating Zimbabwe Saints 5-3 after a replayed cup final.

In both successes Mtizwa was pivotal in his contribution.

The national selectors drafted him into the first national teams and he was to be a regular with those teams and captaining the Warriors at some stage.

Mtizwa was gifted with the best chest control, comparable to legends like Archieford Chimutanda and Tymon Mabaleka.

He could kick the ball with either foot, score from any position in his own half and pass with pin point accuracy.

His combination with Shambo, Ndunduma, Tauro and 1980 arrival and the exploits of Shelton Mangwende, Friday Phiri and Isaac Mafaro.

For three years Caps United dominated the Castle and Zifa Cups winning berths to play in Africa’s Cup Winners Cup now the Caf Cup.

When Black Rhinos were formed in 1982, he was among the first players to be lined up by Rhinos.

Caps would not let go their priced asset.

At the beginning the move was okayed and Mtizwa joined great players like Ndunduma, Japhet Mparutsa, William Chikauro, Ernest Mutano, Jerry Chidawa and Leon Ntawantawa.

That very year Rhinos won both the league and Castle Cup a first in Zimbabwe football.

They had broken Dynamos’ dominance of the league championship and gave football another giant after Caps, Dynamos, Highlanders and Rio Tinto among top clubs in the land that had  won silverware in independent Zimbabwe.

Stix or Stike as soccer commentator Evans Mambara called him, was such a delight and game reader that he made many average players shine for both club and country.

Until Mtizwa came on board, Maronga Nyangela, Jerry Chidawa and Jimmy Mbewe lacked efficient ball supply, something that changed in 1994 and they earned national recognition.

Rhinos stayed among the top clubs in the land until 1991 when the great generation of founding players retired.

In national team colours, Zimbabwe history is incomplete without his mention playing with great players like Madinda Ndlovu, Ephert Lungu, Misheck Chidzambwa, Sunday Chidzambwa, Ephraim Chawanda, Henry Mckop, Mparutsa, Ndunduma, Willard Khumalo, Boy Ndlovu, Joseph Machingura, Raphael Phiri, Wonder Phiri, Hamid Dhana, David Zulu, Charles Chirwa, Mutano and Alexander Maseko.

He was part of the 1985 squad that won the Cecafa Tournament in Harare.

Mtizwa has one of the highest appearances on the Soccer Star of the Year lists with nine.

Many are surprised how he missed being crowned Zimbabwe Player of the Year.

Mtizwa retired from playing and ventured into coaching in the army and has also coached the Mighty Warriors as Benedict Moyo’s assistant.

As of September 2022, Mtizwa was Black Rhinos head coach and gunning for a top four finish.