BY TERRY MADYAUTA
FOLLOWING in the footsteps of the great Ndlovu brothers, Madinda, the late Adam and Peter, the Mushore brothers Mason and McKinnon are aiming to forge successful careers at Highlanders.
Locally, the mention of siblings who forged a successful football career at the same time definitely brings back memories of the 90s.
For Highlanders, it is the exploits of the Ndlovu brothers that remain in the memories of the Bosso faithful.
The exploits of the Mugeyi and Muteji brothers, who took the local game by storm in the 1990s remain some of the best in the PSL.
The legendary former Warriors duo of Wilfred and William Mugeyi played for the now-defunct Highfield side Black Aces.
Wilfred was crowned Soccer-Star-of-the -Year in 1992 before they crossed the Limpopo River to play in South Africa.
The Muteji twins Abel and the late Cain captivated local football fans as they were Soccer Star of the Year finalists in 1995.
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They were part of the classy Zimbabwe Under-23 team that came close to winning the 1995 All-Africa Games gold medal.
The Mubaiwa twins Peter and Patrick then entered the fray at the turn of the millennium, playing for the now-defunct Harare United.
Tendai Ndoro and his brother Takudzwa also entered the fray almost a year ago but it is the former who rose to stardom.
The Moyo twins, Kevin and Elvis also rose to become stars following a trailblazing stint at FC Platinum where they won two league titles in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
They are still playing side by side at Dynamos following stints at Chippa United and Bulawayo Chiefs.
The last few seasons have also witnessed the emergence of the Mushore siblings Mason and McKinnon at Highlanders.
Although they are little known, the Mushore brothers seem to be thriving well under the mentorship of expatriate Baltermar Brito.
Separated by a two-year gap, the Mushore brothers have grown to look like twins.
And the eldest, McKinnon believes their upbringing developed their telepathic relationship.
"We are not twins, but we grew up like twins. We did everything together. Because of the age gap, it seems we are twins," McKinnon said.
"That’s how we grew up. But it's surprising that we hardly talk of football when we are together."
The 23-year-old chronicles how they became footballers. Their careers started at Maningi Academy in Harare.
"It all started with our father. He had access to balls at his workplace and he would bring balls back home.
"So that is when we started playing football. Maningi first picked me up from primary school when I was 11 years old in 2011.
"I was playing well. They also picked my brother (Mason), two years later. I was captain of the under-14. Mason was captain of the under-12.
"That was how we started playing because Mason would also play in the under-14."
Mckinnon added: " After the Covid-19 lockdown our fortunes changed. Coach Joel Lupahla liked us and he took us to Golden Eagles.
"We played for a while and soon after we joined Highlanders where we hope to continue rising. Right now, we have done well under coach Brito.
"We hope to continue rising and possibly be able to write our own history at this big club, Highlanders."
McKinnon has one goal to his name this season and he appears to be one of Baltermar Brito's favourites.
Mason added that their goal is to leave a legacy in their family after being the first in their clan to play professional football.
"We are the first people in our family to play football, and we are here to create history for our family name,” he said.
"It’s always everyone’s dream to play for Highlanders and it’s an even bigger one to play alongside your brother, but when we’re playing, we’re at work, we’re not siblings, we're teammates.
"Had it not been for our father, we could have pursued other professions. Our father has been supportive, pushing us to be at our best.
"We know playing at Highlanders is a big task. We have to prove ourselves at the club. Coach Brito has accepted us and we understand each other. I think we can be part of a history-making team if it remains like this," said the younger of the Mushore brothers.
