The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
When Ngezi Platinum Stars appointed Rodwell Dhlakama as an interim coach; his mandate was to improve the team’s position on the log table and ensure that the Mhondoro-based side attain a top 8 finish.
Not only did Dhlakama manage to do just that, but the 42-year-old surprised his paymasters and he reached the Chibuku Super Cup. That, coupled with a top four finish, meant the former Chapungu gaffer was well ahead of his set targets and the only thing left was to put a stamp on the Ngezi Platinum coaching gig.
And, that he did
“When Rodwell Dhlakama came in; his mandate was clear, he had to improve our position on the log table as we were oscillating between position eight and nine,” said Lysias Chiwozva, the Ngezi Platinum Stars vice-president.
“We told him there is nowhere Ngezi Platinum Stars can be relegated and we also cleared with him that there was no where he could win the league.
“He surprised us; reaching the Chibuku Super Cup final was a huge bonus and finishing in the top four was an icing on the cake.
“He proved himself that he was the right person for the job,” he said.
Dhlakama received an early Christmas treat on Wednesday night as Chiwozva confirmed him as substantive coach for the Mhondoro team during an awards ceremony.
“The 2019 season has been a tale of two sides of the coin; it’s been a mixed bag, but we have to celebrate coming out of it strong,’ said Chiwozva.
“We are a very demanding board; we will now ask the coach what he needs to perform to the best of his abilities.
“We do not want to tie someone’s hands; we are definitely going to avail the resources to the coach, and try ensure that he has the right arsenal to deliver,” said Chiwozva.
Dhlakama has accepted the challenge of trying to bring the title to Mhondoro next season.
“That is my target; and if you want to grow as coach, then you have to work with targets and objectives.
“The most important thing is that we want to achieve the same thing as a team and It is no secret that the resources are there.
“It is my wish that every team that I coach wins silverware, so I am ready to take the challenge head-on,” said Dhlakama.
The former Chapungu coach went on to reveal that, for the first time in his career, the tag of being a caretaker coach was a heavy burden.
“I joined Ngezi Platinum Stars as a caretaker coach; a heavy term to carry because in my coaching career I had never experienced it before, and it was my first time to find myself in that situation.
“Being a caretaker coach comes with a lot of pressure,” he said.
As part of his grand plan to bring the league title; his first priority will be to look for a top striker, a department he felt was a big letdown for the club.
“Our defence was solid, we were the second best team, defensively, after FC Platinum, and we could have won games had we been clinical in front of goal.
“That is one area, that will be my first and top priority.
“The team has quality, the only problem is the strike force,” he said
