Chunga’s tricky battle

revealed that the abuse he received at the hands of a hardcore section of fans on Saturday had turned into an inspiration for him to win trophies and the league championship.
The 45-year-old coach was taunted by some of the Green Machine fans, after his team let slip a 2-0 lead against Zimbabwe Saints to trail 2-3, in the first half of their opening Castle Lager Premiership tie at Rufaro.
Scores of CAPS United supporters waved at Chunga, in mock renditions of a farewell, a practice that has seemingly been adopted by football fans across the world when they no longer want their coach.
The former Zimbabwe captain has always had a tricky relationship with some of the CAPS United fans who, either do not trust his capacity to lead them to glory or view him as an enemy given his deep roots at bitter rivals Dynamos.
Chunga is a DeMbare legend and, given the rivalry that exists between the Glamour Boys and Makepekepe, he has struggled to win the trust of conservative CAPS United fans. His first spell at the club ended in a nasty divorce after he ran into problems with some of the fans, but the club’s chiefs decided to invest in him again and the two parties reunited last year after Lloyd Chitembwe was forced to walk away.
Ironically, Chitembwe had also fallen out with some of the club’s fans after a poor run of results.
CAPS United beat Zimbabwe Saints 5-3 on Saturday, after hat-trick hero Simba Sithole and Pride Tafirenyika found the target in the second half, but the uneasy relationship between Chunga and some of the fans remained a talking point.
Yesterday, Chunga and his CAPS United squad returned to work as they started preparations for their league tie against Shooting Stars at Rufaro on Sunday.
And the coach, for the first time since Saturday’s incident, decided to speak at length about the events at Rufaro.
“Normally, I concentrate on the activities on the field of play. I ignore what’s happening elsewhere and I don’t focus on what the fans do,” said Chunga.
“I am focused on my team playing well and getting results week in and week out.
“I am paid to deliver by the directors and as long as I am doing that, and the directors are happy then I am happy.
“I think the problem is that there are a few individuals who incite others, but I don’t have time for them.”
The former Gunners coach said it was time for all the CAPS United fans to rally behind him and his players as they battle to create a competitive team capable of winning the championship for the first time in six years.
“They must get used to Bambo sitting on the bench. Handiende. They must know I will finish the season at CAPS United and lift a trophy with the club,” said Chunga.
“It is up to them to support us in our bid to win the league this season.
“But I share the same vision with my players and the directors and that is to win the league.
“Unless they are telling me that even if we win the trophy it should not be inscripted CAPS United because they don’t recognise my effort.”
CAPS United continued to strengthen their team yesterday by bringing in former Gunners’ forwards David Rediyoni and Tapiwa Mangezi who played key roles as Chunga won the championship at Chando Kupisa.
Chunga said his substitutions on Saturday were not inspired by the unrest among some of the fans in the stands.
Stephen Matsangaise, who was playing the centreback role, was replaced by Douglas Walaza who was pushed to rightback while former captain Nyasha Mukumbi was moved back to the heart of defence.
“I spent the whole week at training with the boys and I know what needs to be done.
“They should know my players should be comfortable playing in any position.
“And when Sir Alex Ferguson does it the same supporters hail him. I am not comparing myself. I am my own man and do what I believe in.
“But people should know that players are not just substituted just like that.
“When you are seating on the terraces it seems easy because you have all the time to analyse and discuss and tend to be emotional yet as coaches we are supposed to make the correct tactical decisions and use our heads and not just act.
“Look what happened on Sunday at the DeMbare match, the fans called for the substitution of Mutuma (Roderick) and when he was out they realised that he was not bad after all and should have continued with play.
“So there should be a difference between a coach and a fan,” said Chunga.
The former Warriors midfielder said the fact that he played for Dynamos should not make him an enemy at CAPS United.
“If you rewind, coaches who have brought joy to CAPS United are not former sons.
“Charles Mhlauri and Steve Kwashi both won the league title at the club.
“Were they former sons?” said Chunga.
He said he badly wanted to be successful.
“I am 45-years-old and I am not getting any younger. I want to succeed as a coach,” said Chunga.
“I have made it as a player and now I want to achieve the same as a coach and this cannot be possible when people don’t take me seriously and identify me as a former Dynamos son.
“I am not saying they shouldn’t voice their concerns. Maybe the way forward is to interact on cyberspace. They should get my e-mail address and give me their feedback on a platform where I would be able to interact with them properly.
“Doing so during play will only demoralise the players and the opposition may thrive on it.”
Bambo said this season’s championship battle was certain to be a tight and exciting affair and was happy his charges had put points on the table.
“It was a good start and we will continue working on our weaknesses. Some of the players haven’t picked form,” said Chunga.
“The culture we want to build is to score more goals than our opposition. I am attack-minded that is why we have the most attack-minded players in our team.
“We would be training twice on Tuesdays and Thursdays until I am satisfied with the things we are working on.”
Former champions Gunners will bring Premiership football back to Mabvuku when they take on champions Motor Action at LaFarge Grounds, formerly Circle Cement Stadium, on Saturday.
Club owner Cuthbert Chitima called on the Mabvuku and Tafara community to come and support his football project.
PSL Fixtures
Saturday – Gunners v Motor Action (La Farge), Monomotapa v Highlanders (Rufaro)
Sunday – Masvingo v Hwange (Mucheke), Shabanie Mine v Chicken Inn (Maglas), Blue Ribbon v Black Mambas (Gwanzura), Shooting Stars v CAPS United (Rufaro), Zimbabwe Saints v Kiglon (Barbourfields)
Thursday, April 6 – Dynamos v FC Platinum