Blind coach has big football dreams

Motshani Nyoni was born blind, and defied all odds when he founded his own junior football club, Western Pirates.
The team caters for players between the age of 12 and 17 and they have been invited to curtain raise for the Warriors’ match against Liberia tomorrow at the National Sports Stadium.
They will clash against a Harare Junior select side.

Born on January 1 1980 in Hwange, Nyoni started coaching in 1998 but took a break for the whole of 1999 due to other commitments.
“I started attending coaching courses that were held here in Kadoma and I managed to do the theory although I could not do the practical lessons.
“When I was young I used to attend sports activities at different schools and I could hear people making noise and I had the passion for soccer.
“I thought I could do something to help develop the sport.

“I started coaching in 1998 it was in 2000 that I became more serious about it,” said Nyoni.
One question that comes to mind is how he conducts his training sessions.
“I can coach because it’s an inborn thing. I use natural intelligence and through the styles of soccer I can tell what will be happening on the field due to the movements and sounds by the players.

“The issue is to guide the kids not to take disability as a disadvantage.
“At first I was afraid that people may not appreciate and understand that I can do it but I am happy with the response, especially from the players,” said Nyoni.
Nyoni said he was happy that he has done something positive for children in his community.

“When I started this, I noted that the children did not have anything to do and I am happy that I have managed to remove them from the streets.
“I have managed to groom a number of players into Division One.
“Some of the players that have come through my hands include Cuthbert Malajila and Themba Ndlovu.

“A number of clubs have also been formed for junior players because most people felt challenged when I founded my team and now we have a junior league that is running here in Kadoma.
“We were also invited to play a curtain raiser for the Warriors match and I am happy about that. The players are excited.
“Most of them have never been to the National Sports Stadium, it’s a way of promoting their talent.

“We wrote to Zifa requesting to be the curtain raisers and when we played against Chitungwiza Academy last month, Zifa heard about the game and that’s when we were told that we can play as the curtain raisers,” Nyoni said.
Nyoni will be accompanied by his assistant coach, Tapiwa Moyo for tomorrow’s match.

“Parents have accepted what I do and they are taking it well. “The players accepted me for who I am and they do not have a problem with me.
“However, there are some coaches who come to my club saying negative things to my players so that they turn against me. “They undermine my ability to coach but the players are satisfied with my coaching skills and we do not have any problems,” said Nyoni.