Before
the Zanzibar football stadium was built, all the football games were played on
the football grounds in Nazi Moja.
One did not have to be prompted by “Sauti Ya
Unguja” about the various games that were to be played there. Word got around very fast and one could be
assured that there would be hundreds of spectators at these games.
However,
the games that were most popular were when two players teamed together. The first player was called “Chepe” and the
second was “kidevu”. Chepe was a short
diminutive player whose body movement and the control that he exercised over
the football was a combination of much practice and his innate talent. His ability to dodge his opponents was always
well appreciated by the crowds who came in droves to watch Chepe at play. As soon as Chepe handled the ball and dodged
a player there was a great big shout of appreciation from the crowd. This acted as a further incentive for Chepe
to spin around his opponent and virtually make a fool out of him. At one time,
he actually crawled through his opponents legs with the ball in tow. Chepe was a household name, and I still
remember us as boys wanting to copy the moves of this wonderful player.
Chepe
was best acknowledged when the Zanzibar team played the teams fielded by the
various British war ships such as the Norfolk and the Birmingham to name only a
couple. He took a great delight in
virtually humiliating some of the British players with his antics. Of course the crowds would go berserk with
his tricks with the ball and nobody really bothered who won the game as long as
they were entertained by this outstanding player. It must be remembered that at that time most
of the Zanzibar players played barefoot with perhaps an “anklet” or a “knee
cap” for protection. The British Navy
players used “boots”. On one occasion,
Chepe was about to kick the ball when a British player ran towards him to kick
the ball with all his might. Somehow
Chepe managed to hold on fast to the ball with his foot while the British
sailor kicked so hard that the lower sole of his boot came apart. Nothing happened to Chape as the whistle blew
and the crowds went mad with their clapping and laughter. Chepe also had the ability of making accurate
passes so that his players could get the best possible position to have a shot
at the goal.
Somehow
the crowds went ballistic when Chepe and Kidevu (the man with the little beard)
teamed together to play other teams.
This was best demonstrated during the Gossage Cup competition when these
two players seemed to control the entire game and to provide the crowds with
heaps of entertainment. Kidevu, like
Chepe had excellent ball control but there was seriousness about his demeanour
which could not be taken seriously. Above all there was an excellent
understanding between the two players while they ran circles around their
opponents.
Like
most greats, both Chepe and Kidevu will always be remembered for their
dedication to the game and also for their expertise and their ability to be
both effective and yet very entertaining.
They
certainly were the idols of all football players in Zanzibar and wonderful crowd
pleasers.
COMMENTS
Just to add briefly to what George has so wonderfully described,there were about 7 or more teams playing the league and to name a few Kikwajuni, Malindi, Vikotoni,Kiembe .
samaki,Kizimkazi,Mwembeladu Mwembeni,Police team and a few others.Excuse my spelling mistakes.Mostly fighting for league honours were teams from Malindi and Kikwajuni.If I remember right the two stalwarts Chepe and Kidevu played for Malindi and Kikwajuni respectively.One other great was Abdul Majaham a great dribbler of the ball and a versatile player and a joy to watch.Then there was Tommy(Timuru) Anton (Pemba),Tony(chick).Mzee Mwiny was another great right winger who tore through the defence playing at right wing position then cutting in and take a shot at goal and mostly successful,he was also a very good hockey player,so was Shioni.These are naming just a few that I remember well.Again kindly excuse my spelling mistakes of the team names and individuals.Its been a long time and thanks to George for stirring our memories.
Oliver.
COMMENTS
Just to add briefly to what George has so wonderfully described,there were about 7 or more teams playing the league and to name a few Kikwajuni, Malindi, Vikotoni,Kiembe .
samaki,Kizimkazi,Mwembeladu Mwembeni,Police team and a few others.Excuse my spelling mistakes.Mostly fighting for league honours were teams from Malindi and Kikwajuni.If I remember right the two stalwarts Chepe and Kidevu played for Malindi and Kikwajuni respectively.One other great was Abdul Majaham a great dribbler of the ball and a versatile player and a joy to watch.Then there was Tommy(Timuru) Anton (Pemba),Tony(chick).Mzee Mwiny was another great right winger who tore through the defence playing at right wing position then cutting in and take a shot at goal and mostly successful,he was also a very good hockey player,so was Shioni.These are naming just a few that I remember well.Again kindly excuse my spelling mistakes of the team names and individuals.Its been a long time and thanks to George for stirring our memories.
Oliver.
