‘Katsande got a Dibango treatment’

01 Jun, 2014 - 00:06 0 Views
‘Katsande got a Dibango treatment’ Ian Gorowa

The Sunday Mail

Ian Gorowa

Ian Gorowa

Warriors midfielder Willard Katsande got a nasty “Dibango treatment” during a clear-the-air meeting between himself and the national team’s technical department.  Katsande last week bounced back into national team reckoning after being given the “benefit of the doubt” following his apology for missing the Warriors’ 0-1 Afcon qualifier defeat away to Tanzania due to a stomach bug.

Interestingly, the stomach bug did not stop the midfielder from attending the Absa Premiership awards ceremony held on the same day the Warriors fell to the Taifa Stars.

News of his pardoning was greeted with cheer among football fans, with national team gaffer Ian “Dibango” Gorowa being hailed for making a “football decision.”

While the decision to forgive Katsande would have been viewed by many as routine, given his stature and form, sources who attended the no-holds-barred indaba disclosed that Gorowa left the Kaizer Chiefs man in no doubt as to who calls the shots in the Warriors set-up.

“At the end, everything worked out perfectly well, but it must be highlighted that the coach did not believe Katsande’s stomach illness story at all and he told him as such during that meeting,” said a source plugged into the national team.

“Dibango gave Katsande his piece of mind, pointing out that the national team is bigger than any individual and life can go on regardless of who is there and who is not.

“The coach also warned the player against getting big-headed (excuse the pun). He said ‘don’t think you are a star yet, don’t be satisfied with where you are because a lot of others have been there before, but have failed to take the step into bigger leagues. Keep working hard and respect the national team because you need it more than it needs you’.

“On his part, Katsande looked remorseful and continuously begged for forgiveness.”
Katsande confirmed to have been at the receiving end of a Dibango treatment.

“Ahh kwaifiwa, mudhara (It wasn’t easy, mate),” he said when asked to comment about the meeting.
“I am just grateful that the coach gave me another chance. He is a football man and he gave me very good lessons about the game and life in general.

“Hopefully, I will pay him back for the confidence he has shown in me by putting up a good performance against Tanzania.”
Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa did not want to “delve into the past”, but highlighted that Gorowa is a stickler for discipline.

“Look, the meeting was held and we all know the result . . . let’s move forward. However, it’s worth mentioning that there is no room for ill behaviour when it comes to the national team; the coach has laid down rules that need to be followed.

“Every player, whether foreign-based or locally-based, is viewed as the same; there is no special treatment,” he said.
Gorowa is not known for holding back his words and has in the past found himself in the soup for “saying the truth, but failing to follow protocol.” His coming on board has seen national team players desisting from the habit of loitering in the hotel lobby after meals as well as entertaining friends and family at camp.

“After eating, everyone goes to his room,” said a national team player.
“Kunoitwa zvebhora, mudhara (It’s a football environment),” added another.

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