The unvoiced role played by Tinashe Nengomasha at Kaizer Chiefs

Defender Lincoln Zvasiya has revealed the unvoiced role played by retired footballer Tinashe Nengomasha during his time at Kaizer Chiefs.

The retired footballer, Tinashe Nengomasha, had a sterling career at Naturena, carving a niche as the ‘Midfield General’.

He spent over a decade at the club from 2001 to 2012, before he left to join Bidvest Wits. In Amakhosi colours, he became a midfield sensation who combined a trademark style bound by combativeness and agility, with or without the ball. 

As such, he helped the Soweto giants win two successive DStv Premiership titles in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons. At that point, they were ending a seven-year league title drought, with Nengomasha emerging as a vital cog in the success story.

He also played a key role in the club’s winning of two MTN8 Cups, the Nedbank Cup, five Telkom Knockout trophies, and three Vodacom Challenge Cups, among several other trophies.

For his sterling performances, he then took home several individual accolades. These include the Player of the Season for 2003/04. He also accounted for the Players’ Player of the Year award that season.

ZVASIYA REVEALS THE UNVOICED ROLE PLAYED BY NENGOMASHA

And while his excellence on the field of play was undoubted, he was also a key figure in helping Zimbabweans settle at the club. During his time, Chiefs had about eight Zimbabweans joining their ranks. 

These include Thomas Sweswe, Zhaimu Jambo, Willard Katsande, Brian Abbas Amidu and Knowledge Musona. Lincoln Zvasiya and Matthew Rusike also joined the team along the way.

Zvasiya revealed to FARPost the special role played by Nengomasha during his decade-long stay at Chiefs. “I noticed something important. During my time at Kaizer Chiefs, it was easy to settle because Tinashe Nengomasha would take you through it all. He was a steward at the Naturena.

“He was also taken through the club by Luke Petros, so he did it the same way for me and others. He did it so well, making it easy for Zimbabweans to settle at the club.

“That is why the first batch of Zimbabweans were successful at Kaizer Chiefs. Right now, its different because of lack of guidance,” Zvasiya told FARPost.

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