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For the better part of his time in football, Baroka FC striker Ranga Chivaviro has often been mistaken by many for a non-South African.
The arrival of the Zimbabwean duo of Talent Chawapiwa and Elvis Chipezeze at Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele has made it appear as though Chivaviro is in the good company of fellow countrymen.
Nevertheless, the trio agrees that their last names have sprinkled a good rhyme to the spine of the team, with Chipezeze in goal, Chawapiwa in midfield and Chivaviro as striker.
“Some people think I am a foreigner, but I was born in Limpopo in Ga-Kgapane,” chuckled Chivaviro.
In fact, Chivaviro revealed that his home language is Khelobedu, a dialect that is widely spoken in the far northern parts of Limpopo.
However, he is multilingual as he speaks fluent Sepedi and isiZulu.
Chivaviro, who turns 26 next week, joined Baroka at the start of the current campaign from National First Division (NFD) side Ubuntu Cape Town after he finished as the Mother City club’s top scorer, with 13 goals in all competitions.
He was also one of the key figures in Ubuntu’s giant-killing spree during last season’s Nedbank Cup.
However, he has gone through a rather dry spell at Baroka, netting just once in 11 Absa Premiership games before this weekend’s fixtures.
Chawapiwa and Chipezeze are proudly Zimbabwean, having already earned their national team colours. They regard Baroka as a home away from home.
“It’s always good to be around your countrymen, working together in a foreign country,” said Chawapiwa, whose family name means gift.
The 26-year-old joined Baroka from FC Platinum in his home country after impressing in Zimbabwe’s triumph of the Cosafa Cup last year.
Chawapiwa, who was not so long ago the target of Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, is part of the Zimbabwe Warriors squad that needs just a point to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year.
Zimbabwe will meet Liberia next Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chipezeze said he was working hard to maintain his standard as one of the finest stoppers in the region since joining Baroka after being voted Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper of the year.
The 28-year-old is on a three-year contract at Baroka, following his move in March from the Zimbabwean outfit Chicken Inn FC.
“So far, so good. I am enjoying my time here. Talent has also helped me to settle quickly,” said Chipezeze, a regular in goal.
The three “Ch(s)” are hoping their opponents will rhyme with Baroka’s tune as Bakgaga bid to move off the foot of the log.
