While most quit for coaching, Thabani Ruzario opte...

While most quit for coaching, Thabani Ruzario opted for the whistle

Edmore Zvinonzwa

Lighting up stadiums with dazzling performances is something that may not continue until eternity. Some of the finest footballers quit following injuries, while others hung their boots voluntarily.

Most former players turn to coaching when they eventually hang their boots but for Thabani Ruzario, who played Division One and Premiership football, the whistle was an attraction he could not resist.

Ruzario, who was born on March 11, 1989, started playing soccer as a toddler on the streets on Zengeza 1 and in primary school at St Mary's Anglican Primary School in Chitungwiza.

He then perfected the talent at Zengeza 2 High School, in Chitungwiza where he did his secondary education.

“Soon after leaving school, I joined Border Strikers, nicknamed Vavheneki, as a left-back and stayed there between 2006 and 2008 when I moved back to the capital, Harare, to join CAPS United reserves,” Ruzario told Zim Now.

Soon, Ruzario was on the radar of Bulawayo-based Chicken Inn Football Club where he played as left-back between 2010 and 2011.

“At Chicken Inn, I fondly remember the league match against Bantu Rovers at Barbourfields Stadium in 2010. I played so well that I was called up to the National Under-23 side that was preparing for an international friendly against South Africa.

“I left the Gamecocks in 2012 to join Twalumba FC, a team which was owned by the late Dr Nkululeko Sibanda. The team also secured the services of Peter Ndlovu, one of the finest strikers ever to emerge from Zimbabwe.

“I then moved to Air Force of Zimbabwe side Blue Swallows in 2014 and played until 2015 when I left to become a professional referee,” Ruzario said, adding that the new side of football has been exciting. My aim, although it seems insurmountable, is to become the best referee of all time,” he said.

The father of one said he started refereeing in 2013 after gaining Zifa Refereeing Qualifications.

Thabani Ruzario at the centre of action

“I have officiated as the centre referee on several occasions. This was after I quit playing in 2015. I have been at Bikita Minerals since then and currently work as a Supervisor in one of the processing plants at the lithium mine,” Ruzario said.

Ruzario is single and says he is not searching and has one son, Bradley, whom he hopes will grow into a sportsperson much bigger than himself. Outside football, Ruzario enjoys hanging out with friends and braaiing.

“The greatest trait for any player is discipline. Greatness will only come when one works hard. That way, you can achieve what you want. Stay away from drugs. At the top of it all is discipline where ever you play. You may have the talent, but if you are not disciplined, then you won’t get anywhere.

“Discipline is the key to success. Hard work can only reward where there is discipline and commitment. If you are passionate about soccer, then you must fit within a team, which presupposes the sport requires team players, although individual brilliance counts a lot within the team,” Ruzario told Zim Now.

On refereeing, the former Gamecocks player said the attributes of a good referee are defined by fairness.

“Fairness defines a good referee. The margins of error must be minimal so that the game remains an enjoyable sport which people will pay to watch and those who invest it can get mileage. No one enjoys a sport whose ‘judges’ are not fair,” said Ruzario, who said he was rushing for a workout in preparation for his next assignment on Saturday.