adminLangton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
HENDRIKUS Pieter De Jongh expects to be shown some love when he makes an emotional return to Barbourfields next weekend.
De Jongh left Highlanders in acrimonious circumstances at the end of last season but that was after he had guided Bosso to their maiden Chibuku Super Cup triumph.
He has since been replaced by English journeyman Mark Harrison.
Now in charge of league champions FC Platinum, the Dutch mentor returns to Barbourfields where Bosso host Pure Platinum Play in a potentially explosive season-opening Castle Challenge Cup on Saturday.
Although De Jongh values this fixture a lot, the coach’s main mandate is to make sure FC Platinum retain the Castle Lager Premiership title and match Dynamos’ record of four on the trot under Kalisto Pasuwa between 2011 and 2014.
He expects an exciting competition in the 2020 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race and is tipping Harare giants CAPS United and Dynamos to mount a serious challenge for the championship.
“Normally, I don’t like to talk about my last days at Highlanders because I am now head coach at FC Platinum.
“What I can only say is that not everyone in the board was happy with my success. But I know Bosso fans loved me,” De Jongh said.
“BF is a great place for great matches. I had a great time at Highlanders. I have had so many successes in my career as a coach in different countries but some of the moments I had at Highlanders are moments that I will never forget.
“I will never forget the Highlanders fans, I had a perfect relationship with them and they will forever have a place in my heart. I am very thankful to them (fans) for the great support they gave me. Only that now I am with FC Platinum and I have moved on,” De Jongh said.
De Jongh took charge of Highlanders’ last 12 matches of the 2020 season and lost once before winning the Chibuku Super Cup after a controversial 1-0 win against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Barbourfields last December.
That impressive run caught the eye of FC Platinum who were desperately searching for a high-profile coach to replace Norman Mapeza, who quit the miners in September 2019.
Lizwe Sweswe took charge of Pure Platinum Play for the remainder of the season and managed to land a third consecutive title for the Zvishavane side, but the powers that be at the club thought he was not good enough to steer the ship.
De Jongh was subsequently unveiled at Mandava on January 7, 2020 with a mandate to retain the league championship and improve FC Platinum’s performance in the CAF Champions League where they have never won a group game.
“I am very happy at FC Platinum, I have the full support of the board.
“Zvishavane might be smaller as compared to Bulawayo but I am treated well here. The club is very professional, I can win titles here, and I can go to the highest levels in the CAF Champions League.
“I am getting all the things I want as a professional coach, I only focus on football and not on things like internet, petrol, electricity, Dstv or other things.”
De Jongh, who at one time was linked with Dynamos before he surfaced at Highlanders, thinks DeMbare can also mount a serious challenge for the championship.
“This year is going to be very exciting, we have different teams that can play to win the title.
“CAPS United, Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars are in there. Highlanders, Chicken Inn and, of course, FC Platinum are also favourites,” said De Jongh, who is married to a Kenyan woman and speaks a smattering of Swahili.
“Shona is too difficult,” he quipped.
FC Platinum have strengthened their side with 2019 Soccer Star of the Year runner up Ralph Kawondera, the former Manica Diamonds duo of Last Jesi and Stanley Ngala as well as Nomore Chinyerere who was signed from relegated Hwange.
Former Triangle defender Donald Dzvinyai and ex-Bosso midfielder Denzel Kumalo are some of the players that FC Platinum will parade at Barbourfields next Saturday.
However, that doesn’t worry Bosso coach Harrison. who has also made his own signings since taking over from De Jongh.
Harrison is also not worried about the impact De Jongh’s return to Barbourfields will have on the general atmosphere of the game.
“I don’t really care about De Jongh, I am more interested in Highlanders putting on a good display of entertaining football and trying to win the game.
“I think this Challenge Cup is a prestigious trophy, there’s a lot at stake for the club. It’s also a good platform to gauge our preparations for the 2020 season.”
Highlanders have so far signed ex-CAPS United goalkeeper Chris Mverechena, Humphrey Ncube from Bulawayo City, leftback Colin Mujuru from Harare City and Michelle Katsvairo who is not new to Bulawayo having featured for Chicken Inn before.
Veteran striker Mkokheli Dube has retraced his roots to Bosso, who have also managed to retain key players — Ariel Sibanda, Peter Muduhwa, Nqobizitha Masuku, Brian Banda, Adrian Silla, Ray “Ndori Ndori” Lunga and top striker Prince Dube.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter