‘Coaching chose me’: Modest Mahari delights in his protégés’ success
- vimbayi makwavarara
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 28
BY ENOCK MUCHINJO
HARARE – When a new English Premiership acquisition and a Championship star take a picture together around others, you may expect to see a random guy appearing in the background of the photo, smiling gesture and all.
Only just that this picture is from seven years ago, and the fellow having a bit of fun behind is not an awestruck fan. He’s Bob Mahari, head coach of a star-studded Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby team of 2018.
The two players in the foreground of the picture – Cleopas Kundiona and Matt McNab – aren’t yet rubbing shoulders with the big boys of world rugby at this stage.
They are still just two of Bob’s Babies, fresh school-leavers, and in the colours of their home country’s Under-20 team under Mahari.
Kundiona in March completed a move to Northampton Saints and will make his Gallagher Premiership debut at the beginning of the 2025-06 season, while his ex-Falcon College teammate McNab has been turning out for Cornish Pirates in the second tier of the English rugby system since 2023.
Mahari, meanwhile, is still performing his true calling back home in Zimbabwe – polishing new gems extracted from the southern African nation’s deep and fertile rugby fields.
He knows the good stuff that his country is capable of unearthing on a regular basis, so 50-year-old Mahari isn’t at all surprised by the career upturn of the prop Kundiona and wing McNab.
“I can confidently say that’s a part of a journey I saw them going to,” Mahari says about the two Zimbabwe internationals, who are now both 26.
“They were both hardworking, disciplined, coachable and focused. So it wasn’t far-fetched to see them playing at these levels. In fact, I can see them doing even bigger things, on and off the rugby field. It’s fantastic to see young talented men chase and achieve their dreams. It’s a positive testament to their families, Falcon College, the Zim Under-20 system and the character of the two young men.”
On top of natural sporting ability, Mahari attributes the rise of the two friends to solid upbringing and admirable personality traits.
“Both are great locker-room lads, encouraging, easy to get along with,” says Mahari.
“Both are strong family men and have a deep sense of who they are and what they stand for. If you ever meet Matt and Cloppy’s parents, you will understand the springboard that propels them. Add to it, a Zim Hall of Fame coach at Falcon (Brendan Dawson) you can see just how strong the foundation was, and still is.”
Kundiona joins Northampton Saints from French Pro D2 club USON Nevers while McNab signed for Cornish Pirates in 2023 after making just one appearance on loan at Worcester Warriors.
Mahari has confidence in both players’ capacity to make a mark on the England’s professional scene, tipping McNab to also make the Premiership step-up soon.
“Cloppy is mentally strong and that shows in the manner he scrums, carries the ball and wins most collisions. His abrasive style and his rugby IQ are only matched by his actual physical strength,” comments Mahari.
“Matt is a versatile backline player who is explosively quick and powerful. He’s an exceptional finisher who can step off both feet with equal devastation. He has a lot more in his skill toolbox that given the right opportunity, he’ll soon be playing against Cloppy on any given weekend.”
Kundiona and McNab are by no means an isolated example of boundless potential in their generation.
Mahari’s tenure as Zimbabwe’s Under-20 coach witnessed a flow of top talent into the senior national side, the Sables.
Some of the outstanding players to team up with Kundiona and McNab in the Young Sables class of 2018 are Sharks back-row Tino Mavesere and Qriquas lock Godfrey Muzanargwo, both key members of Zimbabwe’s high-riding national team.
Mahari also has nothing but praise for the two South Africa-based forwards.
“It’s the yin and yang,” Mahari says. “You have to wrestle with what the talent is at, at the time, and push for what you can see them become. Coach Jeff Madhake and myself were privileged to be a part of these two young men’s journeys. Both gifted, both talented, coachable, disciplined, humble and ambitious.”
Watching players develop has held a fascination for Mahari since his student days at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban.
“Coaching chose me,” remarks Mahari.
“In the beginning, I had to coach as part of giving back when I got my bursary from Natal. But I found out that I really enjoyed it. I loved and love seeing people grow and realise their potential. Rugby is a special vehicle, or the classroom I use to create an environment for that growth. I’m just fortunate to be doing it in Zimbabwe.”
Mahari played a variety of sports at Courtney Selous Primary School in Harare. But rugby became a big part of his life at Lomagundi College in Chinhoyi, where he enrolled for high school in the late 80s.
Over the past few years, Mahari has been the rugby head coach back at Lomagundi – the attachment to his old school growing stronger each passing year, each passing group of fine players.
It is at his alma mater that Mahari added his magic touch on the most exciting young Zimbabwean player at the moment, the 20-year-old national team winger Edward Sigauke.
Mahari knew `Gundi had taken in something truly special when Sigauke transferred there from Mutare’s Hillcrest College whilst in form three.
The Sables wunderkid has been wowing crowds in South Africa’s Varsity Shield in the colours of Varsity College, with his sizzling pace and footwork.
At the age of 20, Sigauke is already an African Cup-winner with Zimbabwe, once with the senior Sables and once at youth level.
He’ll be one of Zimbabwe’s go-to players in July in Uganda when the Sables bid to defend their Africa Cup title and qualify for their first World Cup since 1991.
Mahari’s face lights up at the mention of Sigauke’s name.
“Mercurial talent! And an even better person off the field,” says Mahari.
“Again, I won the lottery to just be part of his journey. He is a wonderful testament to Chiredzi (Sigauke’s hometown), Hillcrest College, Lomagundi College and the Sigauke clan. Along with the other young men, they have an incredible opportunity ahead of them and their collective journey has allowed us Zimbabweans to dream of playing at the World Cup again. Together with (Sables) coach (Piet) Benade’s leadership, we have turned a dream into realistic achievable goals.”
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