adminIN a football season where nothing went well for Zimbabwean coaches and players in Swaziland, former Warriors assistant coach Saul Chaminuka provided that upward rebounce to the curve of confidence when he guided Matsapha United to their maiden premiership title.
A troubled 12 months saw Julius Chakupewa hired and fired at Manzini Wanderers, Hebert Maruwa fired at Green Mamba then hired and fired at Mbabane Highlanders, Tarisai Changara quitting Tambuti FC, seeing the entry and exit doors at Highlanders.
Godfrey Tamirepi arrived and left at Manzini Sundowns.
And if anyone thought it was only the coaching front troubled, one has to sit out an interview with Ramson Zhuwawo, Anesu Gondo, Takawira Chimwanda, Talent Maphosa, Blessing Sande, Tafadzwa Jaravanhi, Frank Mukarati and Tawanda Chokore to hear out stories.
For the near arrivals Charles Mutero, Zvenyika Makonese, Tawanda Muparati it was equally turbulent with Hloniphani Ndebele being the single player who probably had something to count during this season.
The Swazi turbulence equally hit Zimbabweans with visiting teams. Talk of Madinda Ndlovu, Zacharia Muzadzi and Tendai Nyumasi falling 2-3 with Orapa United and Bruce Kangwaa��s Azam FC beaten 1-0, both by Mbabane Swallows.
Matsapha Uniteda��s performance slumped in Chaminukaa��s absence with the team failing to win a single match when he was away with the Zimbabwe Warriors at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon.
On his return he touched the ground running on the touchline for the Swazi ambitious outfit. Since then ita��s been a marvelous tale of nine straight big wins.
With that stretch, knocking out the SwaziBank Cup defending champions, Mbabane Swallows and just last Saturday confirming Matsapha Uniteda��s success sparking widespread celebrations in this countrya��s commercial hub and corridor.
While the team cottage from the victorious Big Bend sojourn to Italoa��s The Vibe joint for main celebrations after a 3-1 win over Sikhalo, Chaminuka and Matsapha United were trending themselves in Swaziland via social networks.
Though the celebrations were cut down, perhaps for another day as the team had to mend itself from the fatigue and injuries and shift focus to a crucial SwaziBank Cup quarter finals match against Manzini Sundowns set for Somhlolo National Stadium, but for Zimbabweans hope in Swazi soccer was reignited.
Chaminuka had without a Zimbabwean player in his outfit arrested the downward trend and that ghost haunting our local boys in Swazi soccer had been exorcised, arrested, tried and last Saturday banished, with the former Warriors assistant coach guiding Matsapha United.
Today he can celebrate fame in Swaziland, the fame that eluded him since Black Mambasa�� 1986 promotion from the Zifa Northern Region.
Online Reporter