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SHARIF MUSSA is arguably the most popular football personality from Zimbabwe’s Indian community.
Apart from his well-documented fight to have the country’s stadiums spruced to meet CAF standards, Mussa is also a former Warriors team manager with over 20 years in football administration.
Other football personalities from the Indian community include former ZIFA chairman Rafik Khan and former Dynamos team manager Rafik Adam.
But, football players from the Indian community have been scarce.
No player from this community has featured for the Warriors.
However, the trend could change.
There’s a player from the Indian community in the national Under 17 team participating at the ongoing COSAFA Championship being hosted at Ngoni in Norton and Heart in Waterfalls.
St John’s keeper Ismail Lunat is among the three goalkeepers in the team that is being led by former Bulawayo Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda.
Lunat’s stock has been rising in recent months.
He was voted goalkeeper of the tournament at the AKG Under 17 ATS tourney.
Former CAPS United defender, Charles Manjera, who coaches Lunat at school level is excited about the boy’s development.
“Ismail (Lunat) is a top kid with loads of potential,” says Manjera.
“His inclusion in the national Under 17 shows he is good and I am happy for him.”
El Shaddai Sadomba, who also learns at St John’s, is also in the national Under 17 team.
Sadomba is son to former Dynamos star forward Edward.
“Having Sadomba also in the national Under-17 team shows that football is evolving in schools,” added Manjera.
Sadomba’s career has been progressing steadily since he rose to national prominence at the CAF Schools Under 15 tournament hosted by Zimbabwe in 2023.
According to Lunat’s mother Aysha, the boy had a passion for football from an early age.
“Myself and his dad Mohamed we have always encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone, especially as there are few players of Indian origin, and to embrace the self challenge of being the best in his position,” she said.
“We are proudly Zimbabwean and we are proud that Ismail is representing his country.”
She added: “We wish that Ismail continues to strive to excel in soccer and represents Zimbabwe at senior national level.
“It was always Ismail’s wish and dream to represent his country. He has most definitely worked really hard.
“I personally feel he deserves this achievement and am very proud of him.”
Lunat is a fourth generation Zimbabwean whose great grandfather emigrated to Zimbabwe in 1914.
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