Iowa Central CC’s second-half victory over Iowa State this past weekend was undoubtedly a team effort, but it’s hard to overlook the contribution of one player.

Takudzwa Musingwini scored three goals against one of the best D1AA teams in the country, splitting the Cyclone defense and perhaps at times reminding fans a bit of the more famous Takudzwa who played for the USA.

“Taku is not only a phenomenal rugby player, he is a leader, a great teammate and an all-round amazing young man,” gushed Tritons head coach Bent Nelson. “He is a real powerhouse on the pitch.”

Hailing from Harare, Zimbabwe, Muaingwini, like his namesake Ngwenya, who paid 36 times more to join the US, started out playing for Admiral Tait Primary School in the Zimbabwean capital.

“I was more into cricket and football but after my knee injury, funnily enough, I focused more on rugby and my passion for the sport has kept me going despite all the injuries,” he told GRR.

Injuries have been frustrating, but when fit Musingwini has caught the eye. He played for Zimbabwe at U14 level through to U20, a team he captained in 2022. He was called up to the senior Zimbabwe team at 19 (so he didn’t get a call-up to the Eagles!). Indeed, he was in the Sables side that won the African Championship this summer, with Musingwini starting as a full-back for his country.

At Prince Edward School as a high school student, he was class president and a star player on the rugby team. It was his rugby coach at Prince Edward who recommended Iowa Central to him.

Musingwini called it a “God-given opportunity” to go to the U.S. to study and play rugby. The business administration student didn’t hesitate.

“I had to take it with both hands because opportunities like this don’t come around very often and I wanted to go far in both rugby and education,” he explained.

But for all of that, including his recovery from injury, Musingwini credits two people — his parents. “Mum and Dad” are written on his match-day armband, so he literally wears his respect for his parents on his sleeve.

“My rugby journey has been full of ups and downs but my parents and most of the players I played with have always told me to always strive for what is meant for me,” he said.