The Sunday Mail
COULD the self-styled “Lion of Zimbabwe” have bitten more than he can chew this time around?
Gishon Ntini – also known as “Gizha” – was recently unveiled as the new head coach of Chiredzi FC, amidst a circus of turmoil and confusion at the Lowveld-based club.
Shortly after Pamuuyu’s chairman, Charles Muchatukwa, paraded the former Triangle United coach as the side’s new mentor, former (or is it the other) coach Moses “Bambo” Chunga, poured cold water on the supposed change in leadership by claiming that he was still the club’s gaffer and more importantly, its founding director!
Bambo went on castigate Ntini, accusing him of “indulging in unbecoming behaviour” by accepting this post and vowed that he (Chunga) was “going nowhere”!
This afternoon, Chiredzi are set to clash with visitors Buffaloes at Chishamiso Stadium and one wonders who will be seated at the top of the home side’s technical bench: Ntini or Chunga?
If indeed it is Ntini, he will certainly know that aside the off-field madness at the club, the on-field task will be more daring than a lion trying to ward off the challenge of a trampling elephant in the middle of a thick forest!
Pamuuyu are languishing perilously at the bottom of the Castle Lager Premiership standings, with only seven points from 15 matches as we move into the second half of the season.
Surprisingly though, “The Lion of Zimbabwe” remains optimistic about the apparent “Mission Impossible” before him.
At his unveiling event and before the team’s stakeholders, he was quoted saying: “I have decided to come back to the Lowveld to try my best to save Chiredzi from the drop. It’s not going to be easy because the team right now is like a dead body in a mortuary but showing signs of life.”
And that revival heartbeat starts this afternoon with an uphill task against a resurgent Buffaloes, who beat them 0-1 in the reverse fixture at Sakubva a fortnight ago.
Gizha has done it before – at local sides Shooting Stars, Triangle United and Botswana’s Santos – saving all three from the jaws of annihilation.
Can he do it this time around?
In his stylish and sensational replies, he’ll probably remind us that Hollywood actor Tom Cruise – in the lead character role of international spy Ethan Hunt – did it in “Mission Impossible 1, 2, 3” and “4”!
It might be possible but then again, we would have to remind Gizha that in Hollywood fantasy, anything is possible!!
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I was contacted by many Dynamos followers from all over the country following my article last week where I listed the ’keepers who have featured in the capital’s showdowns since 1977.
They reminded me that I had omitted the following names of their ’keepers: Gift Muzadzi (my word, how on earth did I forget him?) Zondai Nyaungwa, Matthew Urayayi, Tendai Tanyanyiwa, Philip Nhete and Ephraim Mazarura.
My apologies, ladies and gentlemen!
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I felt a sore lump in my throat after learning that Warriors international left back Zhaimu Jambo had been forced to retire prematurely from the game following that horrific injury he suffered two years ago in a South African Absa Premiership tie against Bidvest Wits.
At the tender of age of 26, the former Kaizer Chiefs’ enterprising defender is no longer going to grace our soccer fields. My plea to Jambo is not to quit the game altogether because I think that he can still have a lot to offer by way of becoming a coach so as to impart his repertoire of skills and flair to aspiring youngsters.
Life goes on and for sure, it must.
Remember to take care of your loved ones and each other. It’s bye-bye for now.
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