The Sunday Mail
NEWLY-appointed national cricket team coach Stephen Mangongo is under no illusions as he prepares to begin life on the top job with a one-off Test against South Africa.
The Proteas, the world’s top-ranked Test nation team, are expected in the country on Tuesday ahead of the game at Harare Sports Club next weekend.
Speaking on the sidelines of the team’s net session at the match venue last week, Mangongo, who was appointed head coach a fortnight ago, conceded that he faces a mammoth task.
“It is a tough job and I have no illusions about that,” he said
“There is so much work that needs to be done. I think generally people have gotten frustrated because the team has not been doing well.
“I need to make sure that the team does well, gives the nation reason to believe,” he said.
Zimbabwe has a disappointing record in Test matches, where they have an 11 percent winning ratio since gaining Test status in 1992.
Mangongo comes in against the backdrop of a disappointing performance against Afghanistan in a four-match One Day International Series.
Despite racing into a 2-0 lead, the hosts allowed the Associate nation to salvage a draw by losing the last two ODI’s in Bulawayo.
“That was unacceptable; the team has been inconsistent and it can’t get any lower than losing to Afghanistan.
“Drawing with them technically means that we lost that series and that is inexcusable,” said the 44-year-old coach.
Mangongo, however, believes he can inspire an upturn of form.
“Being in that position, trying to get the team to compete at the highest level is a big task, but it’s my nature to thrive in situations like this . . . they bring the best out of me.
“I am actually looking forward to getting the job done, get the boys to compete and be happy with their performances,” said the coach, who is known for his strict disciplinarian approach.
Mangongo believes in hard work and warns there will be no sacred cows during his reign.
“Under me, there is one thing very clear; for one to be called a senior guy, they must perform. If they do not perform, there is no reason for them to be in the team,” he said.
Over the years, Zimbabwean cricket has been characterised by spats between players and the Zimbabwe Cricket administration.
Mangongo yearns for a conducive cricket environment.
“I believe that with the talent we have, if we all put in the hard work required and the cricketers concentrate on playing the game while the administration also concentrates on creating the conducive environment, we will be able to compete. We must be able to win more than we lose.
“I don’t care which team comes to Zimbabwe, we must be formidable because if you look at the squad we have got, some of the guys have been around for a long time; they know the game and should be delivering consistently.
“It’s very good that we are playing the number one Test side. We have to perform and do well against the best if we are serious about becoming a cricket powerhouse,” he said.
