Mercedes Sibanda
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mercedes Nkila Sibanda[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 4 February 1966 | ||
| Place of birth | Bulawayo, Rhodesia | ||
| Date of death | 3 September 2002 (aged 36) | ||
| Place of death | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | ||
| Position | Right back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1981–1984 | Highlanders | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1985–1999 | Highlanders | ||
| 1999 | Blackpool[2] | ||
| International career | |||
| Zimbabwe U20 | |||
| 1986–1998 | Zimbabwe | 53 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Mercedes Nkila Sibanda (4 February 1966 – 3 September 2002) was a Zimbabwean footballer who played as a right back for the Zimbabwe national team. He was considered one of the best right backs to ever play for Highlanders and the Zimbabwe national team,[2] and one of the best African right backs during his playing days.[3]
Career
[edit]Club career
[edit]Sibanda was named the Zimbabwe Soccer Star of the Year in 1987,[4] having been a runner-up previously in 1986.[5] Two years later, he had a brief trial at Randers FC in Denmark, alongside teammate Rahman Gumbo, but were both reportedly dropped for their lack of discipline.[2] In 1991, Sibanda nearly signed for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, but failed a medical.[2]
Sibanda retired in 1999, but came out of retirement for six months to play for Blackpool.[2]
International career
[edit]Sibanda made 53 appearances for the Zimbabwe national team, scoring two goals.[6]
Personal life
[edit]During his playing career, Sibanda gained the nickname "Rambo", named after the character played by Sylvester Stallone, because of his muscular calves and biceps.[2]
Sibanda was reported to have been ill in 2000, and died in Bulawayo on 3 September 2002, at the age of 36.[2][7] He is survived by his four children.[1] In 2021, a new tombstone for Sibanda was unveiled.[7]
He was the cousin of former Zimbabwean international footballer Willard Khumalo.[1]
Career statistics
[edit]- Scores and results list Zimbabwe's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sibanda goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 November 1988 | Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre, Malawi |  Ethiopia | ? | 2–1 | 1988 CECAFA Cup |
| 2 | 22 November 1995 | Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa |  Egypt | 1–1 | 2–2 | Friendly |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Masuku, Danisa (16 September 2018). "Mercedes Rambo the comedian!". The Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Chronicle Editor (11 August 2024). "Who is Zimbabwe's best right-back ever?". The Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ Chronicle Editor (19 August 2024). "WATCH: What they say about Rambo, the first Bosso player to be crowned Soccer Star of the Year". The Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ Schöggl, Hans; Stokkermans, Karel. "Zimbabwe - Player of the Year". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ Radio, Nehanda (1 August 2017). "No threat to Chunga's 46-goal record". Nehanda Radio. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ Mamrud, Roberto. "Zimbabwe - Record International Players". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Rambo tombstone unveiled". Bulawayo24 News. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Mercedes Sibanda (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
External links
[edit]- Mercedes Sibanda at WorldFootball.net
- Mercedes Sibanda at National-Football-Teams.com