City unveil Dream Team

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
HARARE City have brought together some of the finest coaches in this country, in a Dream Team coaching pool, to work on an ambitious project to turn the Sunshine Boys into a dominant football force in Zimbabwe.

About eight coaches — led by Taurai Mangwiro — who will head the coaching staff of the Sunshine Boys, will work in a pool of football coaches, with different portfolios ranging from taking care of the Academy to the first team, in the new set-up.

Four of the coaches, Mangwiro, Mkhuphali Masuku, Elvis Chiweshe and David George, have taken charge of the Big Three of the domestic Premiership — Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United — with George and Chiweshe having the experience of coaching a team in the Champions League when they led the Glamour Boys.

Mangwiro and Masuku, who have worked together at CAPS United before, will team up again at Harare City, and will be joined by Mike “Dread” Madzivanyika, in leading the club’s first team’s affairs, in what is a Dream Team combination of some of the best young football coaches in this country.

Mangwiro and Madzivanyika were the main actors in the CAPS United coaching staff who took the Green Machine to third place in the championship race this year, the best finish by the Harare giants in five years.

A number of analysts believe CAPS United would have won the league championship, ending a nine-year wait for the biggest prize on the domestic football scene, had their campaign not been marred by the turmoil that saw some players boycotting some key matches over non-payment of their dues.

Harare City have introduced a new model, which will see the team revamp its junior development structures, with experienced coaches taking care of that portfolio, in a programme they believe will produce quality players for their first team.

George, a former Dynamos coach, will be Director of Junior development at the club while Elvis Chiweshe, who produced a number of players who have gone to make a name for themselves at the Glamour Boys, will be in charge of the academy.

Masimba Dinyero, who was the interim coach at Harare City this year, will be the juniors head coach in charge of scouting and he will be expected to move around all council schools looking for talented players.

Only last week, Harare City held a tournament for junior teams which was won by Budiriro One Primary.

The unveiling of the coaches was done at a ceremony attended Harare City Town Clerk Tendai Mahachi and Harare City FC officials — Matthew Marara (Secretary-General), Albert Ndabambi (Marketing), Everisto Rukasha (Committee Member, Organising), Charles Kandemiri (Committee Member, Legal) and Tendai Kwenda (Treasurer).

Mangwiro was given the leeway to choose his own backroom staff and lured Masuku back into his coaching staff that includes Madzivanyika.

He said he terminated his union with CAPS United prematurely, after only a year into a new three-year deal, because he wanted the tranquillity and challenge that Harare City provided.

“I think my move from CAPS United was there for all to see and it was high time I called it quits,” Mangwiro said.

“I offered everything when I was there, but it was very hectic and I had no peace there so I had to move.

“I think we have what it takes to make Harare City a strong side as it has some good players who can compete in the Premier League, the team only had a bad start to the season and that almost cost them but we are not expecting the same for next season.

“Of course, I cannot promise heaven on earth but I believe in the technical team I will be working with. I am very happy to have such a strong supporting staff and I do take the challenge to work well with them and I don’t think it is a threat to me.

“We are professionals and it shows how serious the team is concerning junior development.”

Harare City secretary-general, Marara, said they were confident that their appointments will add value to their project.

“We have given the coaches three-year contracts renewable, which are subject to review, and are performance-based,” said Marara.

“For a start, we expect the senior team to finish, at least, in the top six of the league next season. We believe we have brought people who can steer and motivate the players to excel.

“Our aim again is to have a sound junior policy and hope to see Chuchu (Chiweshe) providing Mangwiro with players rather than for us to be on the market buying players year after year.

“We will not be producing players for Harare City alone, but for other clubs who may be interested in our players.

“We have long-term plans, hence the recruitment of highly-qualified coaches whom we will give opportunities to further their professional qualifications with Dinyero attending the CAF A licence which is on-going at the National Sports Stadium.”

Harare City Football Club Appointments:

Head Coach — Taurai Mangwiro;

Assistant Coaches — Mkhuphali “Mr Cooper” Masuku, Mike Madzivanyika;

Goalkeepers Coach — Witness Munkhuli; Welfare Manager — Paddington Chivasa;

Kit Manager — Kuda Murambiwa;

Team Doctor — Kudzai Masunda;

Medic — Lastword Siniwa

Director of Coaches (junior development) — David George;

Coach (junior development) — Masimba Dinyero;

Coach (Academy) — Elvis Chiweshe