IT seems like the old adage “like father like son” aptly coins the footsteps the Zimbabwe Under-20 and Highlanders striker Mgcini Sibanda is following.
Ronald Moyo Sports Reporter
He is the son of former Highlanders striker Jerry Sibanda who is now the Bulawayo football giants’ treasurer and the young lad eyes going to far places, further than his father, through football.
His father, a product of Gwanda Ramblers, played for Bosso. Mgcini was born on March 10 1995 in Bulawayo and identified his talent in 2007 when he was a Grade Seven pupil at Mawaba Primary School before he moved to Milton High School where he did secondary education.
In the same year he joined Highlanders juniors and worked under the guidance of Gift Lunga (Sr) who played a good part in nurturing Mgcini’s football career.
“I joined Highlanders in 2007 when I was in Grade Seven, Gift Lunga (Sr) was our coach then and I liked working with him as a young star,” Mgcini said.
Mgcini made his debut in national colours in 2010 when he played for the Under-15 team that competed in the Olympic Games in Singapore.
In 2011 at the age of 16, Mgcini cut his teeth into the Highlanders senior team under the mentorship of Mkhuphali Masuku.
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He had one of his greatest matches in the same year when he featured in the team that narrowly beat Caps United 1-0 in a Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium (BF).
Mgcini impressed the Under-20 Young Warriors gaffer Jairos Tapera in 2012 and was included in the team that trounced Botswana 4-0 at BF before playing a 1-1 draw in Botswana.
The 18-year-old forward was key in the national team that finished fourth in the just-ended Under-20 Cosafa tournament that was played in Lesotho and watched by a number of scouts that included South African side Mamelodi Sundowns’ Trott Moloto. He believes Bosso is the club that will give him the platform to launch an illustrious footballing career. The upcoming forward is inspired by the Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba.
Mgcini is attracted to Drogda’s key attributes that include his physical strength, ability in the air and ability to retain possession of the ball.
“I am inspired by Didier Drogba, I just like his physical strength and his headers. He is one of the best strikers I have seen,” he said.
He is also an Orlando Pirates, Chelsea and Real Madrid fan. Besides playing and watching football, Mgcini also likes watching cricket and rugby.
He is likely to be retained in the Highlanders squad for the 2014 season although he did not receive enough game time in 2013, warming the bench for the better part of the season.
