ZIMBABWE national cricket team player John Nyumbu, one of only two Chevrons bowlers to take five wickets on Test debut, was deemed a better footballer than Simon Munawa at a Bulawayo Division 3 side a few years ago.

Nyumbu had passed through Milton High, where he captained Warriors star Costa Nhamoinesu, and by the time he linked up with Munawa at Rangers, the latter was a fringe player who was praised more for his work ethic than his skill.

But Munawa is no longer ordinary.

He has risen from a being commonplace boy from Nguboyenja high-density suburb into a midfield workhorse described by Dutch expatriate Erol Akbay as “the best d-link player in the Premiership”.

Akbay has revived Highlanders from a misfiring outfit into realistic contenders for the 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, and Munawa has been central to that resurgence.

The 28-year-old Munawa is a grafting defensive linkman whose workman-like approach has been the bedrock on which Highlanders’ transformation has been built.

And as 31-year-old Nyumbu took a rest from Zimbabwe A’s ongoing Test against visiting South Africa in Bulawayo – the city that also hosts the big soccer clash between Highlanders and Caps United this afternoon – he reminisced about his football days.

“If I tell you that (Munawa) would sometimes not make the starting line-up for our local side, Rangers, you will not believe me. But the boy had a unique work ethic,” said Nyumbu.

Bosso host Makepekepe in a top of the table clash at Barbourfields today, a game Akbay reckons Munawa will once again use to affirm his rising stock.

“Simon is a very good player, I am happy with him. He is a big game player, very influential. Because of his presence we can initiate some dangerous attacks,” said the Bosso mentor. “For me he is the best defensive linkman in the league today. The boy is also good at passing, very strong physically which makes up for his lack of speed.

“The game against Caps will be a very difficult game for both teams but we have to win it at all costs. It’s a very important weekend for Highlanders.”

Munawa was brought to Bosso by Mkhuphali Masuku in 2011, having played for the now defunct Amazulu, Zimbabwe Saints, Underhill and Shooting Stars.

At 28, he should be approaching the peak of his powers and the midfielder wants to make the most of this season to earn a foreign contract by January 2017.

“This feels like my last chance, our team is playing well and all eyes are on us. I have to make the most of these circumstances so that I realise my dream which is to finish my career in the South African top flight,” he said.

Munawa appreciates the importance of today’s clash against Makepekepe but believes it has no huge impact on the championship race.

“It is a big clash, of course, given the magnitude of the sides involved; but to talk about this game in the context of the championship race will be a bit premature. This is just another game we have to win, we are taking it step by step at Bosso. Our coach has brought his Dutch strategy and its working, we are all playing as a unit.”

Munawa can pack powerful shots and score wonder goals.

The one that quickly comes to mind trended on YouTube - a beautiful overhead kick at Barbourfields on September 17, 2015.

Munawa neatly controlled the ball inside the box before powering an overhead kick past Flame Lily goalie Lloyd Majarira to give Bosso a 1-0 victory and then coach Amini Soma-Phiri his first win.

More often than not, his graft goes unnoticed. He is the Paul Scholes of the Bosso starting XI - and like the retired Englishman, he has what it takes to decide the outcome big matches like today’s Battle of the Cities.