By OnSport Reporter
One would always wonder how and why Maningi Juniors products McKinnon Mushore and Mason Mushore joined Highlanders FC developmental side Bosso 90 in 2022.
Former Bosso assistant coach Joel Luphahla who coached the duo at Golden Eagles in the Northern Region Division One league perhaps played a major role in influencing the youngsters to pack their bags from the capital city and move to Bulawayo.
However, there is a name that has remained unmentioned in the rise to stardom of the Harare born duo. Former Maningi Juniors coach Mtandazo Dube, a staunch Highlanders supporter revealed that he told the Mushore boys to play for Highlanders.
OnSport Magazine caught up with the South Africa based coach who backed up his claims. “I told the boys to play for Highlanders when they were very young. At that time, they were Under 12s. I have been a Highlanders fan through and through. Highlanders has been my team and I have never supported any other team in Zimbabwe besides Highlanders.”
Mtandazo Dube in South Africa
“In fact everyone in our family supports Highlanders. So I used to brag to these youngsters about Highlanders and I used to tell them that if you want to enjoy playing football in Zimbabwe, then go and play for Highlanders. I also adopted the playing style of Highlanders into my coaching philosophy. I was also happy that Tapuwa Kapini played for Highlanders. He was our goalkeeper at Budiriro Rovers back then during my playing career. The club was in Sunday Athletic league sponsored by Sunday Chidzambwa,” said Dube.
So I’m happy the boys made the right decision to join Highlanders. They are well disciplined. I never had any problems with them as I coached them for over five years and I am positive that they will reach dizzy heights,” he said.
Dube revealed that his dream is to coach the Bulawayo giants and he is working on upgrading his coaching certificates. “My dream is to coach Highlanders one day, I am a holder of Caf C certificate and looking forward to enrolling into more coaching courses in the next few years,” said Dube.
The Mushore brothers recently extended their stay at Highlanders to 2026. McKinnon was particularly impressive last season. However, his younger brother has been impressive in 2025 and earned his first national team cap for the Zimbabwe Warriors friendlies in Morocco.
Dube with Mckinnon and Mason at Maningi Juniors
Dube revealed that he wanted to be a professional footballer but injury cost him his career. “I started my soccer career at Gv1 Primary School back in 1990. I then went to Glenorah High 2 Secondary School in 1993 where I played soccer with the likes of Artwell Mabhiza who inspired me to join Caps United juniors. I joined Caps United in 1997 but I played there for a short time. I was then convinced to join Division Two side Super M who promised me a job.”
“My soccer career as a player was cut short when I had a fractured hand. Donald Mlambo was my coach at Super M and he was also a Sports Master at Hellenics junior school based in Borrowdale. He asked me to help him coach various sports at Hellenics. That is how my soccer coaching career began back in 1999.”
“In 2008 I moved to South Africa in search of greener pastures. I had told myself that I needed to start my own team, so I bought some equipment and came back home soon after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I formed a Division Three team Glen View United and the team did not last long due to financial constraints. It was in that year that I was approached by the Maningi Academy Director Mr Dimbiri who is based in the United Kingdom to join his academy. I didn’t hesitate to join the academy because i was very impressed by their vision. So since 2011 I have been working for Maningi Academy to ensure the kids either go abroad to fulfill their international careers or to play in the local premier league,” said Dube.
It’s not the Mushores that have come through the Maningi Academy. Some of their products are playing in the premier league and others have gone abroad. “I also coached some players who didn’t take my advice of joining Highlanders (laughs) instead they joined different clubs in Zimbabwe, the likes of Lenox Mucheto who is at Yadah, Nyasha Rupiya at Caps United, Malven Madzuka (MWOS) and Kudakwashe Makwerere at Cranborne Bullets. Some of our products are in Europe or USA under a scholarship scheme spearheaded by Ten toes Africa,” he concluded.
Currently, Dube is in South Africa having coached Richmond United Ladies who are in Hollywood Bets Premier League. Last season he was the head coach of Maningi Queens in the Zimbabwe Premier League.
