The match between Gaba and Ngwindi primary schools at Hippo Valley Estates was electrifying and
kept spectators on the edge of their seats. It was a mouth watering encounter.
In one of the derbies, the Gaba primary school goalkeeper was injured and replacement needed.
From nowhere the headmaster of Gaba Primary, despite not being part of the technical bench
decided to impose his own keeper.
Among the children who were cheering was a tall boy whose brother was a super league goalkeeper
playing for Hippo Valley. The headmaster had confidence in this gangly boy and the fact that his
brother was a renowned goalkeeper.
The head asked the boy to replace the injured goalkeeper. The boy was equally shocked at the
request because he had never played soccer before. Infact he was good at high jump and running.
The headmaster could not accept the boy's excuse and so he threw the jersey at him. Gripped with
fear, the boy had no option but to go between the goalposts. To the surprise of all and sundry the
boy put up a sterling performance.
That marked the beginning of a colourful soccer carrier of Weeklie Mwale who then religiously
followed in the footsteps of his elder brother Benjamin.
Mwale was drafted into the under 17 Hippo Valley Estates team and elevated to the under 18.When
his brother became coach for the super league club Hippo Valley, their goalkeeper Shadreck
Machirenje (formerly with Caps United) was injured and Mwale was the only suitable replacement.
He started to shine like a beacon turning the Caps united coach Ashton Nyazika green with envy.
Nyazika sought his signature but the deal did not sail through because Mwale did not like the job
that Caps had offered him.
Mwale then joined Hwange FC under the tutelage of Paul Moyo. He joined soccer legends like Nyaro
Mumba, Isaac Phiri, Burton Mwalukuka, Kakoma Kayonga to name a few.
I asked Mwale to name strikers that were a threat to him during his days as the Hwange goalkeeper.
Hmmm Shackman Tauro was bad news. He was an enemy of goalkeepers. Others that I remember
were Madinda Ndlovu, Onias Musana and Ebison Sugar Muguyo, he said.
Mwale later became Hwange FC coach and Zimbabwe under 17 and 20 national soccer assistant
coach. He assisted Steve Kwashi (under 17) and Nelson Matongorere/Grawboski (under 20)
He travelled with the national teams to countries like Ivory Coast, Guinea, Ghana, South Africa,
Nigeria and Namibia among others.
When asked about his most memorable match, Mwale had this to say When we got relagated we
were then lucky to be considered for play offs. Eagles only needed a draw to remain in the super
league and we needed to beat them at least 4-0 to bounce back to the super league. It was a tall
order. We surprisingly displayed a top drawer performance and beat them 6-0 thereby remaining in
the top league.
Mwale has since established a soccer academy which is doing well at Makwa.
