The Sunday Mail
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT . . . Sunday Chidzambwa takes his ZPC Kariba team through the paces at their Nyamunga base — Picture: Eddie Muzerengi
SUNDAY “MHOFU” CHIDZAMBWA’s place in the country’s football folklore is etched in stone.
However, a disastrous start to life at ZPC Kariba — following a ban over his alleged involvement in the Asiagate match fixing scandal — has seen many questioning if the veteran coach still has the Midas Touch that took the national team to a maiden Africa Cup of Nations in 2004.
Chidzambwa is yet to collect maximum points in three matches he has been in charge of the PSL side, losing at Triangle, falling at home to Tsholotsho, and playing out a goalless draw away to the same side last weekend.
The poor start has led to claims that the former Warriors coach is out of touch with local football following a stint with Black Leopards in South Africa and his subsequent ban.
“I am not out of touch,” Chidzambwa shoots back.
“I watched a lot of games on TV during my ban. I also read a number of football manuals and magazines to keep abreast with international trends.
“For me there is nothing unusual about the kind of start I have had at ZPC Kariba; people should judge me at the end of the season.
“Remember this team lost about four key players at the beginning of the season and now Dennis (Dauda) is gone. I have a huge task on my hands, but I am sure we will finish in the top half.
“We need to beef up the squad with four quality players. I am looking at bringing in a goalkeeper, a defender, a midfielder and two strikers.”
Reigning Soccer Star of the Year Dauda is close to sealing a move to South African side Polokwane City.
This will see another vital cog of the team that came agonisingly close to winning the league title last season being plucked out.
Striker Limited Chikafa and defender Ephraim Mwinga left for How Mine and Triangle, respectively, during the off season.
And reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Tendai “Fish” Hove is yet to feature this season after sustaining a shoulder injury towards the end of last year.
The sacking of reigning Coach of the Year Saul Chaminuka could be the straw that has broken the back of this side.
ZPC Kariba are in the bottom half, nearer to the red zone than to the top four, and many in the resort town are already praying the team will not be relegated come end of the season.
But Mhofu is keeping a cool head, insisting the current poor run will soon end.
“I do not think there is anything in Zimbabwean football that I do not know. Nothing. I have been coaching for more than 30 years in this country, long enough to know what needs to be done here.
“There is nothing unusual about the results I have had. A coach can lose his first ten games in charge and still go on to win big at the end of the season.
“People think if a new coach is appointed, results change instantly. You come in and introduce your own philosophy, but it takes time for players to respond,” he asserts.
Chidzambwa, as per his modus operandi, is looking at making ZPC Kariba a solid defensive unit and in Ghanaian import Sylvester Appiah, the gaffer believes he has a rock to build his team on.
“There is this Ghanaian defender Sylvester Appiah, ah he is good, anofa nemunhu (He is a tight marker.) These are the type of defenders every team needs,” he says.
Having been used to the hustle and bustle of Harare, the former Warriors skipper is enjoying life in easy-going Kariba — even though results on the pitch are yet to go his way.
“This is a nice place, very small and convenient. Life is not fast here; sometimes you can go for a week without spending a dollar unlike back in Harare.
“We are always watching wild animals. The scenery is good, though I have problems going near the lake; I am afraid of huge of bodies of water.
“And by the way, they have nice fish here. You can buy them by that corner when you are leaving,” chuckles Chidzambwa.
And the ex-Warriors coach says he has unfinished business with the national team.
After guiding Zimbabwe to Afcon in Tunisa 2004, Chidzambwa says now he wants to bring the continental title home.
“I still think one day I will take the team to the Nations Cup finals again and this time bring the cup home.
“We are a technically gifted nation; we only need to improve the administration side of the game. We need to get our administration in order as a nation. If we are fighting nothing solid or good will be achieved.”
