Chronicle Editor
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
HE enthralled football fans during his playing days, earning praise and admiration from friend and foe alike with most believing there is none still to surpass him as the country’s greatest ball distributor.
Many spectators would relish to turn back the years and experience him perform his Houdini acts on the field but that is not going to happen as former Zimbabwe Saints midfield general Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda’s return to the country’s top flight is in a different role.
Sibanda is relishing the return to the Premiership albeit in a new role as the manager of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League returnees, Bulawayo City. With City’s promotion back to the PSL, the authorities felt it ideal to give Gidiza the role of team manager, replacing Eddie Chivero who moves to the position of protocol officer. Gidiza said he felt honoured to be offered the post and is relishing playing a role in City’s efforts to remain in the Premiership and establish themselves as a force to reckon with.
“It is an honour that there are people who remembered me and recognised that I can play a role at a Premiership team. It is not something that I planned but I am looking forward to taking on the challenge that is also a learning process for me to assist the team realise its targets,” he said.
Gidiza said while he is new to the job, his experience playing at the highest level of the game will come in handy and allow him to work smoothly in the side. He said having worked with various managers during his career he will take a leaf from those he brushed experiences with while seeking out advice to ensure he performs well.
“I have worked with various managers both at the teams that I played for and at national team level hence I am aware of the demands of this job and I am ready for the challenge. I will also not hesitate to seek advice from those who have travelled that road before.
“We have to work in unison as various sections of the club as will be working to attain the same objectives. We need to have a happy executive, happy technical team and happy players so I have to play the link between the various facets but particularly the players,” added Gidiza.
Sibanda, a midfield general during his playing days at his childhood side Zimbabwe Saints, AmaZulu, Dynamos, FC Winderemere and the national team, remains arguably the greatest ball distributor the country has ever produced.
Gidiza had turned to football commentary, analysing the game for Star FM Sport while also working on a football project with juniors in Lobengula. He revealed taking on the managerial role at City is likely to open him up to a number of future career paths adding he did not rule out one day being in the dugout and shouting for the touchline as a coach.
Bongani Ndlovu