FINE START for MAGAYA IN ZAMBIA

Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub

LAZARUS Magaya is hoping for the best in his new job in the Zambian Women Super League after seeing his ZISD side stage a remarkable come-from-behind win at Yasa Queens in his first assignment on Saturday.

Magaya is the first coach from this country to land a coaching job at a women’s top-flight side beyond the borders.

He will be expected to build a good resume not only for himself but for the rest who will follow in his footsteps.

He was appointed last week to replace Enala Simbeye but he was looking to have a rough landing across the Zambezi after seeing his girls trailing 2-0 within 20 minutes of Saturday’s match.

However, he was able to steady them with his half-time pep talk proving magical as Sibongile Phiri halved the deficit on the hour mark before Naome Phiri drew the game level with eight minutes remaining on the clock.

The ZISD turned the tie on its head with Tamara Chibamba stabbing in right on the stroke of full time to ensure a dream start for the Zimbabwean.

“It was indeed nervy. I had been in the country for just three days and you know the first time on the job, you don’t want to lose.

“I worked with the defence and just tried to polish up the way they were used to playing. But we found ourselves in a pit and it was really disheartening to concede twice inside the opening 20 minutes.

“But we had to talk to the girls and we managed to patch up the holes at the back. Then we observed some ways to explore upfront.

“We instructed the girls to be in those pockets and I am very happy that it worked.

“There is no better feeling than masterminding a win in your first game in charge of a team especially having trailed and looked well out of the game earlier on. I am very happy and I got some huge support here. I hope to continue on that path.”

Magaya was identified by ZISD when he led Zimbabwe Women Soccer League champions Herentals Queens to the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA semi-finals in Blantyre, Malawi, last August.

The former Shooting Stars and FC Victoria gaffer captured the imagination of many in charge of the debutants even eliminating Zambia giants Green Buffaloes to send shockwaves across the region.