Chrispen, A Gentle Giant Departs

By Mqondisi Dube
Correspondent | Monday January 12, 2009 00:00

 

Nyamutambo (32) died tragically in a freak road accident in his native Zimbabwe when his car collided head-on with a bus.

An embodiment of discipline, the affable player inspired many with his brilliant displays on the field and unsurpassed gentlemanly behaviour off the pitch. He came to Botswana in the late 1990s from a Harare-based side, Darryn T to join Francistown giants, TAFIC. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 2002 when he led TAFIC to a successful Coca Cola Cup campaign. He was crowned the goalkeeper of the series.  In that year, he was called to represent his country in a COSAFA Castle Cup match for his only senior national team cap. The next season, he quit the Francistown giants who at the time were facing financial problems, and joined Nico United.

An athletic looking Nyamutambo, sporting dreadlocks arrived in Selebi-Phikwe in the autumn of 2003 with a big reputation and immediately endeared himself to the Nico fans.  He had the body of your traditional goalkeeper; tall and slender. Nyamutambo was hardly the one to ignore a passing fan. But equally, he was not the one to engage in long or controversial conversations. He was not quiet but gentlemanly.

A devout Christian, Nyamutambo used to lead in prayers during Nico's meetings and regularly attended church services. It was evident that he commanded huge respect from both the administrators and players. Nico United was to be Nyamutambo's home for the next six seasons before his untimely death on 31 December 2008. Although he did not reproduce the kind of form that made him arguably the best goalkeeper in the land during his time at TAFIC, Nyamutambo was a pivotal member of the 'Majombolo' side. He saw successive coaches arrive and leave at Nico including Paul Moyo, Jim Mwale, Peter Sakonda, Guston Mutubo and recently, Madinda Ndlovu. He was every coach's first choice goalkeeper, although Murambiwa Ndlovu and Raphael Nthwane at one stage kept him on the bench. Typical of Nyamutambo, he never thought of quitting but fought hard and in both instances, managed to retain his jersey. Admittedly, his weakness was in saving low shots, but he was a brilliant acrobatic goalkeeper difficult to beat in the air.

The flamboyant Nyamutambo also took time to entertain fans with his antics, like letting the ball slip between his legs and then clutching it stylishly with both hands. That is how fancy he was on the field. He was your ordinary man on the street despite the limelight that he enjoyed. I was to enjoy a close relationship with him when he became my neighbour at Pimville. I would pick him up in the morning when he, together with Satmos goalkeeper, Mompoloki 'Blue' Same, went for their extra training session.

Here was a gentleman who devoted time to his family and was close to his only son. I remember asking him one day if he would let the boy follow in his footsteps and play soccer but he said his son would pursue a different career.

While other players complained about the financial situation at the club, Nyamutambo remained positive, despite glaring evidence that all was not well at Nico.

Nico public relations officer, Matlhale Malepa, aptly summed it when he said Nyamutambo was never the one to complain but firmly focused on his playing. Despite quitting TAFIC, he never made enemies. TAFIC spokesperson, Jones Mosweu, had nothing but praise for the departed goalkeeper. 'He was exemplary and a very loyal player,' Mosweu said.

Eric Molebatsi, who played alongside Nyamutambo for several years both at TAFIC and Nico, remembers the day the late goalkeeper bade him farewell. 'It was on the 30 December early in the morning and he came to my place twice but I was still sleeping. He was determined to bid me farewell and came back for the third time. 'He told me that he would be back in Botswana around the 4 January. Little did I know that it was the last time I was seeing him,' Molebatsi said.

Same has fond memories of Nyamutambo, a player he had come to consider his young brother. 'I stayed with him in Francistown when he joined TAFIC in 1996. We were so close. When I came to Phikwe I recommended that Nico recruit him, he was such a good person,' Same said.

His last contact with Nyamutambo was on the 29 December when the late keeper bid Same farewell.  Gift Moyo, a former Premier League player in Zimbabwe, remembers the day he saw a young Nyamutambo still playing in division one in the early 1990s. 'I was coaching a division one team in Zimbabwe, Trojan Mine. We played Chrispen's team. His talents and discipline caught my eye. When I met him in Botswana 12 years later, he was still the same disciplined guy I saw playing for Arcadia,' said Moyo.

 Nyamutambo died on a sad note as his team, Nico United are languishing at the wrong foot of the table and face financial challenges. His last game at the Selebi-Phikwe Stadium was on 6 December against Gaborone United which ended in a horrendous 6-1 loss. Then Nico travelled to Molepolole for a date against Township Rollers and lost 2-1. 

This was Nyamutambo's last time on the pitch in a competitive game as a horror crash on New Year's Eve cruelly took away the life of a gallant soccer player.  Nyamutambo is survived by his wife and a son. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace.