adminNoel Munzabwa
MEET the other man, a Zimbabwean whoa��s probably the longest serving foreigner in the Botswana BeMobile football league.
Zacharia Muzadzi, the Orapa United assistant coach has spent the last 20 years with Mochudi Centre Chiefs both as a player and assistant coachA� amassing three championship medals between 2007-08, 2011-12 and 2012-13.
He then left to join Township Rollers to lift the league championship in 2014. Born in 1974 and raised in Harare, this reporter caught up with him during Ostrichesa�� (as Orapa United are proudly known in Botswana) first ever out of home country tie, a Caf Confederations Cup preliminary round second leg match against Mbabane Swallows two weeks ago.
His part at Orapa is that of an assistant to another Zimbabwean, Madinda Ndlovu. In football circles back home he was a perennial a�?near boya�? having tried to break into the big time on numerous occasions but failing to break the barrier.
a�?I grew up in Harare, played for Darryn T from the Under 14 upwards, rising to the first team at the age of 18. That year 1992 was the most memorable one as it shaped my future with creation of a potential move.
a�?Two years later I was to attend trials at Zamalek and could have easily become the first Zimbabwean to play for the Egyptian soccer giants but fate would not allow that. I then had another failed trial stint in Poland.
a�?I returned to Zimbabwe but didna��t stay long before moving to Botswana. Ita��s been almost 20 years and in my playing life in Botswana I have only known Mochudi Centre Chiefs. I have won three league titles and several cups with the club both as a player and assistant coach,a�? said Muzadzi.
His last league title was with Township Rollers, two seasons ago before he packed his bags for Orapa United, a virtually new soccer project that seeks to shake the foundation of Botswana soccer.
a�?Madinda has been my biggest mentor in this journey as a coach. He has imparted in me that winning mentality and with this project ita��s a matter of time, it could redefine the game in Botswana.
a�?We are here in Swaziland in our first ever campaign in the continent. I am happy we have a group of players eager to make it. This is their first lesson in Africa but they will one day walk tall and shine their way up,a�? added Muzadzi.
Having been knocked out at the first hurdle thanks to a 2-4 aggregate defeat to Mbabane Swallows, one hopes the experience gained will count in the next edition of the Caf Confederations Cup, as they are odds favourite to make a return.
@NoelMunzabwa
Online Reporter