Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga
FRESH from winning the league title with Simba Bhora, Paul Chimalizeni has swapped the comfort of champions for the chaos of survival, and he’s not here to babysit Kwekwe United.
He’s here to build something bold.
A key figure in Simba Bhora’s title-winning technical team last season, Chimalizeni worked under Tonderai Ndiraya as first assistant coach before staying on to assist Joel Luphahla this year. That experience, he believes, is the foundation on which he’ll build Kwekwe United’s future.
In an exclusive interview, Chimalizeni didn’t mince his words about what lies ahead.“My immediate plan is to motivate the players to start believing in themselves. They should have faith as a team, it is their duty to play for the club,” he said.Taking over mid season is rarely easy, especially at a club flirting with relegation. But Chimalizeni thrives on adversity.“I took this job because I like challenges. Some of the current players are not good enough for PSL football, we need improvements across all departments,” he admitted. “My first objective is to survive relegation. Long term, I want to make Kwekwe United one of the best sides in the league.”With reinforcements already being lined up, Chimalizeni is moving quickly to strengthen a team that’s struggled for form and consistency.“All departments need reinforcements. I can’t reveal names yet, as talks are ongoing. But I’ve worked with some of them before, and they understand my philosophy.
That will help them adapt quickly,” he said.Known for his possession based approach, the coach believes his football identity will emerge more clearly with time.“The more games we play, the more my style will become refined,” he noted.Kwekwe United returns to league action on Sunday, 15 May, facing Scottland FC at Rufaro Stadium, a side licking its wounds from recent defeats. Chimalizeni knows this is no time for recklessness.“We need to be cautious and disciplined in how we approach the match against Scottland,” he warned.
He began his tenure with a gritty 1–1 draw against Green Fuel at Bata Stadium, a result that offered glimpses of the structure he’s trying to instill. Previously operating without a full bench since the departure of Saul Chaminuka, Kwekwe United now has a complete technical team: assistant coach Christopher Mwanza, goalkeepers’ coach Gift ‘Umbro’ Muzadzi, conditioning coach Vincent Chabwana, team manager Eric Chapeta, and kit manager Simon Takwara.
Under Chimalizeni’s leadership, the message is clear: survival first, transformation next. It’s no longer business as usual at Kwekwe United. Whether his blueprint delivers results or not, one thing is certain, the club has found a voice, and it’s starting to believe again.
