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Farewell Barry Daka!

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By Sheldon Hakata

THE legendary Barry Daka’s death evokes many memories while at the same time posing an array of questions to the country; many of which revolve around the neglect we have subjected our greats to as a country.

The affable Highlanders legend’s story is endless, immeasurable and cuts across the length and breadth of the country, generations and goes beyond our borders; all of it being a tale of genius, flair and beauty.

He represents the mesmerising make of the game of soccer, a cradle of the artistry of this game.

Daka did not die.

His story is still as fresh as it was in the beginning because he was a genius, a master of the game.

His legacy is a simple pointer of how good a man he was.

But that is where it all ends, especially for us who are giving glowing tributes to this great man.

Long forgotten by a country that adores a person at peak but abandons him/her when the game is over, Daka died all alone, ignored by the soccer fratenity he gave his all to.

Unfortunately that is us and this is a story for another day.

Zimbabwe’s greatness in the game of football has its roots firmly embedded in Daka’s genius.

This is despite the fact that he last played competitive football in 1987.

He was considerably ahead, full of understanding and oozing the spirit of football.

He was a firm believer in football modernisation and was entirely devoted to the game of football and heavily invested his time in promoting junior football.

Daka was a top notch player, easy to recognise when on the field of play and a game changer.

During his playing days, coverage was mainly on radio and newspapers.

The legend appears to have enjoyed equitable achievements as a player and coach.

He was witty and admired the talent in others.

He was a polished sportsperson, a star who was in the same class with other deceased legends like Willard Khumalo, Shaw ‘Kojak’ Handriade and the late Shackman ‘Mr Goals’ Tauro, to mention but a few.

Daka played football in schools and youth clubs that participated in BAFA leagues.

He played for Highlanders in 1965 precipitating the team’s promotion into the First Division.

The league covered Matshobana, Sizinda and areas around the City of Bulawayo.

Daka featured for the then Wankie (Hwange) in the course of promotion into the First Division, winning the Castle Cup in 1973.

Wankie shocked Dynamos 2-1.

After undertaking coaching drill under qualified expatriates, like Billy Ashbury, he kick-started a career that would see him claiming a place among the legends of the game in the country.

The reappearance at Bosso was met with challenges.

Rhodesia football was in mayhem as the RNFL Championship of 1976 had to be decided between Dynamos and Highlanders, who were level on points. 

This generated a revolt owing to complications on money and politics.

In spite of all the glitches, all they wanted was to play football.

He then became the first ever player-coach after founding a splinter team, Olympics FC in 1976.

The group had the great Peter Nyama and Shepherd Murape.

The team had funding from Archer.

When Archer stopped funding Olympics FC, Supersonic sponsored the same team.

Daka rose to the occasion on the game against CAPS United and produced a shocker for the Harare heavyweights.

I vividly recollect, during my high school days, listening to the radio in 1983 with the commentator saying: “Barryyyy Dakaaaaa, The Ghost, has ended it here!”

CAPS United never knew what hit them.

In 1986, his team, Highlanders, won the Chibuku Trophy, Castle Cup and Rothmans Shield.

Mercedes ‘Rambo’ Sibanda was a 1987 Soccer Star of the Year and a product of the Daka conveyor belt.

Daka’s other milestone was clinching every knockout silverware on offer in 1988 except the league championship which went to Zimbabwe Saints.

Daka led Highlanders to the 1989 BAT Rosebowl and Africa Day final.

His squad included Titus Majola, Fanuel Ncube, Abraham Madondo, Alexander Maseko, Tobias Mudyambanje, Dumisani Ngulube, Ronnie Jowa, Tito Paketh, Mpumelelo Dzowa and Amin Soma Phiri.

Daka, acclaimed for comprehensive involvement to the growth of Zimbabwean football, grew up at Highlanders Football Club, having originated from the club’s development structures.

He was credited for helping young players from Bosso developmental side after assuming position of technical director. 

He was also blessed with an outstanding eye for unearthing talent among junior footballers.

The late Daka tutored undeveloped players from Makokoba who went to Tshaka Youth Centre. 

The scheme identified and cultivated products like Makheyi Nyathi, Gift Lunga Snr, Nkululeko Dlodlo, Willard Khumalo, Peter andthe late Adam Ndlovu, star striker Zenzo Moyo and many others who developed into legends of the game in their own right.

The deceased was part of Bulawayo City technical staff.

Daka coached Premier League teams in Notwane, Francis Town and Gaborone in Botswana.

Daka worked glowingly with technical development; programmes for cultivating talent at Happy Hearts Academy.

Speaking to Patriot Sports a few years ago, Daka had this to say: “Development emanates after sacrifice. 

Look where our football is going minus plans, developmental programmes, coach education and many other significant aspects.

During our days, the City Council established and prepared youth centres for sport and cultural activities.

Tshaka Youth Centre in Makokoba, Thabiso Youth Centre, and lots others in Matshobane, Sizinda and the like.

The knowledge I gained working with some of the best coaches is priceless.”

Daka was a decorated coach with Highlanders, Railstars, the Senior Men’s National Team and the Under-23, winning the All Africa Games silver with Wieslaw Grabowski in 1995.

Gift Muzadzi, Lloyd Jowa, Alois Bunjira, Stewart Murisa, Elasto Lungu, Methembe Ndlovu, Vusi Laher, Engelbert Dinha, Cain and Abel Muteji were the talented youngsters included in the All Africa Games Under-23.

Daka worked with coaches Roy Barretto, Rahman Gumbo and Cosmas Tsano Zulu, learning and using each other’s experience.

Coaches like Gibson Homela, Peter Nyama, Sunday Chidzambwa, Bongani Mafu, the late Benjamin Moyo, Charles Mhlauri and Barry Daka stayed in the game of football for a lengthy spell.

The grey area in sport is that of the football players being denied packages to fall back on in lean years and old age.

Absence of proper retirement packages affected quite a number of our football legends including Hamid Dhana, Friday Phiri.

David Mandigora and George Shaya have also met the same fate.

An expert group believes work should start on formulating the sport development levy similar to the aids levy to help ease the predicament befalling football greats.

The proposal of an option to broaden the tax base might be a positive solution.

This would prove a positive move on both the private and public financing of sport at local and national levels.

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