HARARE - Although Eddie Dube burst onto the limelight with the now defunct Tanganda in his Manicaland home province, it was however not until he joined Highlanders that he became a household name in Zimbabwean football.
His combination with namesake Eddie Nyika was an awesome combination that left a lasting mark on the Bulawayo giants.
Together with the likes of Sauso Phiri and Thabani Masawi upfront, Bosso were just unstoppable those days.
Dube became one of the most feared strikers in the Premiership, scoring some crucial goals that powered Rahman Gumbo’s men to the league title, the Zifa Unity Cup, the Independence Trophy and the Dairiboard Charity Shield glory in 2002.
During those days, Bosso were a cut above the rest and that they were crowned champions 20 points ahead of second-placed AmaZulu bore testimony.
“I spent one year at Highlanders but my time there was the best ever in my football career and I will forever cherish those days,” Dube tells the Daily News.
“There were a lot of talented players that made playing football easier, while the fans were always amazing.
“I won everything at Highlanders in one season that some players can’t even achieve in their entire careers.”
Born 35 years ago, Dube began his career at Gaza Secondary School in Chipinge in the early 1990s, before he joined GMB Chipinge and later signed for Dairiboard in Division Two.
It was not long that Dube caught the eye of Misheck Chidzambwa, who was coaching Tanganda at that time in 1994.
At Tanganda, Dube lined up with the likes of Lloyd Mutasa, Webster Kurwaisimba, Spencer Ngove, Ian Matondo and William Chari, among others.
“With Tanganda, we won the Castle Cup after beating CAPS United. The team (Tanganda) was later to Mutare United after getting a new sponsor before it was sold to become Gweru United,” he says.
“I played at Gweru United until 1997 before I returned to Mutare to join Buffaloes, who were in Division One at the time. After two years we were promoted into the Premiership.”
After a remarkable season with Buffaloes, Dube caught the eye of Highlanders, where he was eventually loaned the following season.
Amidst the Bosso ranks then were players like Tapuwa Kapini, Dazzy Kapenya, Thulani Ncube and Bhekithemba Ndlovu.
Dube’s exploits for Bosso would not go unnoticed and he was eventually called to the Zimbabwe national team by coach Clemens Westerhof, who nicknamed him “Amokachi” after the great Nigerian striker.
“It is everyone’s dream to play for the national team. I first received a call-up to play in the Cosafa Castle Cup. I also featured in some Afcon qualifiers,” Dube recalls.
“I am indebted to Highlanders for giving me the platform to showcase my talent. The team was always on top of its game because we had a host of talented players that made playing football easy.”
The following year Buffaloes withdrew the services of Dube despite interest from Bosso to sign the player on a permanent basis.
Dube was eventually sold to fellow army side Black Rhinos, where he led Chauya Chipembere to a second place finish on the table behind Highlanders in the 2003 season.
Whilst at Rhinos, Dube also led the army side to the Madison Trophy final where they eventually lost to then star-studded AmaZulu in the final.
That same year, Rhinos beat Highlanders in the final of the Uhuru Cup final.
He following year, Dube was part of the Rhinos squad that took part in the African Confederations Cup where they went as far as the third round before being knocked out by well-oiled Raja Casablanca of Morocco.
Dube reckons Rahman Gumbo as the best coach he has ever worked with while former Dynamos defender Chamu Musanhu as the toughest opponent he has faced.
“Rahman Gumbo. That man was a great coach. He remains my best ever coach. He was a great tactician and motivator and with him, we could beat anyone. He always believed in his players and that made it easier for us to play football,” he says.
“In the field of play, Chamu Musanhu was just a bug in the flesh. His timely tackles always made it difficult for me to enjoy my game. He could mark me out of the game. I never enjoyed facing Dynamos whenever Chamu was still around.”
After four years at Black Rhinos, Dube returned to Buffaloes in 2006, where he eventually hanged his boots in 2012 having played cameo roles since then.
Dube is now a qualified coach and is employed as Buffaloes Juniors’ trainer and believes he still has much to offer in the development of domestic football.