Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
NEWLY appointed Bulawayo Chiefs head coach Nilton Terroso has promised to respect the local game by playing an attractive brand of football.
The Portuguese gaffer arrived in Bulawayo yesterday morning and was met at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport by his assistant Mark Mathe and Chiefs’ officials.
Terroso expressed excitement at starting work with the ambitious side.
He has been tasked with making Chiefs competitive and challenge for honours, while simultaneously grooming players for export to leagues abroad.
“First we’ve got to respect our fans, not only of our club, but the Premier Soccer League here in Zimbabwe. We want something that is very attractive, something people can watch. But, of course, we have to be organised, we’ve got to have game intelligence and that is something we’re going to implement and emphasise to the players,” said Terroso.
“We want them (players) to respect our fans, make the club proud and we want to be everything general that will make everyone watch us play,” he said.
The France-born coach is confident of adapting quickly to the local game, saying he was in constant communication with his assistants that were in charge of Chiefs’ last two Chibuku Super Cup games against Highlanders and Chicken Inn.
They drew 1-1 with Bosso and lost 1-2 to Chicken Inn.
“I’ve coached in Mozambique before, I coached there for a year. Of course, there are going to be some similarities in terms of being able to adapt to the culture, the country and the continent. I’ve spoken to the staff and I think adaptation will be facilitated,” Terroso said.
He has previously worked under current Manchester United manager Ole Solskskjaer when he was in charge of Cardiff City in 2014.
The Portuguese coach was Cardiff City’s head of sports science and fitness coach when the club returned to the English Premiership after a 51-year absence in 2013.
Torreso was forced to travel alone after the first assistant coach he settled for tested positive for Covid-19 and is now expected to arrive after two weeks.
He appeared relaxed at the airport and wouldn’t be drawn into revealing the duration of his contract, only saying: “I want to stay as long as possible.”
He was set to meet the Chiefs players, executive and support staff at a welcome dinner for him at a Bulawayo hotel last night.
He headed straight to the club’s training ground from the airport to start work. – @ZililoR
Online Reporter