For those who’ve adopted Kaizer Chiefs and Zimbabwean soccer in any respect, Willard Katsande is a reputation that sticks.
Right now, persons are speaking about him once more, as a result of it’s his birthday.
Katsande’s humble beginnings
Katsande didn’t develop up in fancy stadiums.
He’s from Mashonaland East province in Mutoko, and like a variety of younger Zimbabwean children, he performed soccer on tough pitches.
His first golf equipment, Frontier Metal, Feruka, and Freeway, weren’t glamorous.
However that’s the place he discovered the onerous classes: tackling onerous, working till your legs really feel like lead, holding your head down and getting on with it.
Breakthrough with Gunners FC
Issues began to vary when he joined Gunners FC. Instantly, he was a part of a crew successful the league.
That acquired him seen, and shortly South African golf equipment have been calling. He moved to Ajax Cape City, after which to Kaizer Chiefs, the place most individuals actually got here to know him.
Katsande: The midfield workhorse
At Chiefs, he wasn’t the flashy participant. No fancy methods. He simply labored. Lined everybody.
He made tackles individuals didn’t even discover till later. Each followers and coaches favored that. And slowly, he turned a pillar within the crew.
Katsande additionally performed for Zimbabwe, the Warriors. Once more, he wasn’t at all times within the headlines, however he was dependable.
Even now, after leaving skilled soccer, he hasn’t disappeared. He works with younger gamers, teaching, serving to out. And he’s acquired enterprise stuff happening too — quiet, regular, like him.
How previous is Katsande right this moment?
So how previous is he right this moment? Willard Katsande was born on 15 January 1986. He turns 40 right this moment. That’s proper. 40.
Time flies. And but, when you watched him play, you understand age by no means actually mattered on the pitch.
Followers and previous teammates are sending messages, sharing tales. Some humorous. Some severe.
