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Tadious Manyepo, Sports Reporter
LLOYD Chitembwe continues to build a solid resume on getting the best out of otherwise average players after switching their positions with Warriors’ Cosafa captain Godknows Murwira, the latest beneficiary of the veteran tactician’s magical hand.
The CAPS United captain skippered the national squad in the ongoing Cosafa tournament in Port Elizabeth, South Africa where he was one of the stand-out performers before the Warriors bowed out in the group stages.
It was his first time to play in central defence at national team level, a role he is also getting at the Green Machine for the first time in his career this term.
Yet Murwira was very impressive and he left a huge mark at the regional contest, even winning the player of the match prize, when Zimbabwe beat Comoros 1-0 in their first game in Group C last Thursday.
The former Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum full-back is also one of the exceptional players in the domestic league this season, not in small part, after providing four assists in 16 games.
And he attributes his new-found top form to Chitembwe who convinced him to take up a changed role.
“He (Chitembwe) just told me that he was seeing some attributes of a central defender in me. I tried to say no, I am used to playing as a right-back, but he insisted that he was transforming me right away,” said Murwira.
“I am happy that I am enjoying my game in that position and I am receiving rave reviews.”
Murwira is reportedly already being sought after by South African Premiership teams after his good showing at the Cosafa fiesta.
It is not only Murwira who has massively improved in his general play after changing positions at CAPS United.
Roving left-winger Wayne Makuva was, until he joined CAPS United this year, a promising left-back in his days at Ngezi Platinum and Triangle.
Makuva, however, couldn’t quite cement his place at Ngezi Platinum where he competed for a starting berth with captain Qadr Amini and Malvern Kwinjo.
He was, as a result, loaned out to Triangle last year where he enjoyed significant game-time before Chitembwe decided to take him aboard at Makepekepe this season.
With veteran Bruce Kangwa at left-back, Makuva is thriving in that post and has already delivered four assists for the Green Machine.
Former Cranborne Bullets midfielder Eric Manokore has since been transformed into a right-back and he is performing well so has been two-time Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere who is sometimes drawn back from strike-force to central midfield to good effect.
Even Blessing Sarupinda arrived at CAPS United from Black Rhinos as a centre-forward, but he is now a midfielder, a position which even earned him a place in the national team and a brief move to South African side Sekhukhune United two years ago.
Previously Chitembwe has done the same to a number of players who went on to earn lucrative transfers outside the country.
Former Warriors star Method Mwanjali was converted to central defence from right-back before he was signed by South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, Lionel Mutizwa was a 10 before he was moved to central midfield with his improved showing in that role leading Mamelodi Sundowns to sign him as well.
Gilbert Mapemba arrived at CAPS United as a striker when he switched from Lengthens in 2008, but Chitembwe would move him to right-back where his performances stood out and he would soon be a regular for Warriors with the star also joining Moroka Swallows in South Africa.
The same also goes with Oscar Machapa who was a right-back before Chitembwe converted him into a midfielder where he thrived and eventually joined Moroka Swallows, just like Mapemba.
Chitembwe said coaching is not all about winning accolades, but also encompasses development of players.
“I look at a profile of a position and the qualities of a player needed there from a physical, technical, mental and tactical point of view. Let’s take someone like Goddy (Murwira), in terms of his player profiling. What are the requirements in terms of the four key elements of the game?
“We look at the player’s strength, agility, height, speed, and also look at how you, as a coach wants to play,” said Chitembwe.
“I told Murwira that he has the qualities to suit central defensive position. I even told him that he could go on to be one of the best defenders in the country. I gave him an example of Method Mwanjali who I also converted from right-back to centre-back and went on to do very well.
“You look at a player like Wayne (Makuva). He is not very strong on duels to fit a left-back profile. He is not a very good marker of the ball. But if you look at him, he is very quick and technically sound.”
Online Reporter