Esrom Nyandoro, that old Mamelodi Sundowns legend, just called Tinashe Nengomasha his best midfield partner ever. These two guys, who used to battle it out in the PSL for Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, ended up forming Zimbabwe's legendary engine room. They were the key reason the national squad, led by coach Sunday Chidzambwa and featuring guys like Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari, finally made it to the Africa Cup of Nations back in 2004 and again in 2006.
Nyandoro said their whole thing was built on being absolutely allergic to losing. He admitted they did not click at first. But they realized they were the same kind of insane competitor. Losing a simple training drill would piss them off. That identical brutal mindset is what made them work. Apparently, after their club matches, the loser would give the silent treatment before maybe calling the next day to give props.
Their careers speak for themselves. Nyandoro grabbed multiple league titles with Sundowns. Over at Chiefs, Nengomasha cleaned up individual awards, snagging the top PSL footballer honor. That shared, vicious will to win transformed them from PSL rivals into a national institution for Zimbabwe.
Nyandoro said their whole thing was built on being absolutely allergic to losing. He admitted they did not click at first. But they realized they were the same kind of insane competitor. Losing a simple training drill would piss them off. That identical brutal mindset is what made them work. Apparently, after their club matches, the loser would give the silent treatment before maybe calling the next day to give props.
Their careers speak for themselves. Nyandoro grabbed multiple league titles with Sundowns. Over at Chiefs, Nengomasha cleaned up individual awards, snagging the top PSL footballer honor. That shared, vicious will to win transformed them from PSL rivals into a national institution for Zimbabwe.
