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Danai Chitakasha in CAMBRIDGE, England.
“THERE are many of us in the UK who have acquired high coaching qualifications and I hope one day we can be afforded an opportunity to help Zimbabwean football!,” said Kenny Mutsanya, the current Wealdstone Football Club First team coach and Academy manager who is the proud holder of UEFA B qualification.
“Currently, I am waiting patiently for a chance to enrol on the prestigious UEFA A course, the demand is high, I have been waiting for three years now. It is not easy to get a place and one has to be patient and remain optimistic!”
Who is Kenny Mutsanya and how did his football journey begin?
Mutsanya is a proud Zimbabwean who has lived and worked in the UK for many years. His passion for football saw him join Zimstevenage Football, a social club formed by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Community in the town of Stevenage in 2002. This club was meant to form the platform for community cohesion and allow Zimbabwe diasporans a chance to interact, play and enjoy the game they love.
Incidentally, Stevenage Town is twinned with the gold mining town of Kadoma in Zimbabwe. The two towns share cultural links.
Mutsanya, who played as an attacking midfielder became a pivotal member of the team and went on to captain the club. He was the top goal scorer in the 2015-2016 season.
Before joining Zimstevenage Football Club, Mutsanya had played for Luton Aces, another Zimbabwe Community club based in the town of Luton. His commitment to the game at this level saw him play for Zimstevenage on Saturday and Luton Aces on a Sunday when they were short on numbers.
Mutsanya’s fitness levels made it possible to accomplish this demanding schedule while also going to work during the course of the week.
Marshal Gore, the Team Zimbabwe-UK team chairman, a team formed with the goal to improve community cohesion through sport, soon spotted the commitment of Mutsanya and he recruited him to the team.
It is with Team Zimbabwe-UK that Mutsanya won a lot of accolades. The team participates in many tournaments and have won the AFCON (UK ) and the mini World Cup tournament.
As the captain of the team, Mutsanya has shown the leadership qualities to lead the team.
It is important to note that many of the players have to juggle between demanding work commitments and playing the game they love. There is a lot of travelling as well to venues all over the UK. It is this commitment which must be applauded.
As earlier highlighted in the introduction, Mutsanya has acquired his managerial badges which he is currently using at Wealdstone Football Club, a Conference club in the UK. He is the first team coach and takes care of all training sessions.
He is also the Academy manager at the club and is tasked with working with the young talented footballers who are just starting on their football journey.
Welcoming him , the club had this to say: “Kenny brings a wealth of experience of coaching academy football.
“His experience at Hemel Youth (three years as manager ), Oakland’s Academy (three years as coach) and Herpenden FC (Under-16 manager) show his commitment to the coaching and managing of young players.”
“I love what I do and would like to learn as much as possible .
“The knowledge gained will come in handy. Who knows, maybe one day Zimbabwe might come calling and so the better qualified I am, the better. This experience will come in handy!”, said Mutsanya, who clearly is determined to reach the very top of the game.
Mutsanya acknowledges that it has not been easy to even gain a foothold into the coaching world of UK football and he is very happy to get the opportunity with Wealdstone Football Club.
“Many who have played at the highest level have not been able to get coaching opportunities, I therefore count my blessings and want to thank my current employers for affording me this opportunity. I have learnt a lot and gained a lot of experience!,” said a determined Mutsanya.
It is important to note that a number of Zimbabwean coaches are emerging from those based in the diaspora.
I have had the privilege to talk to legends such as George Mbwando and Max Lunga (formerly Makanza ) who are seasoned youth managers and both holders of UEFA A licences. There is also Trevor Mazhandu who works at West Bromwich Albion. With Mutsanya aiming to acquire this platinum qualification, the list continues to grow.
Maybe in future, when we as a nation we decide to make full use of our diaspora talent, passionate and committed managers like Mutsanya, Lunga, Mazhandu and Mbwando, among others, will be on the radar.
“If we work together and cross pollinate ideas, we can improve our football (in Zimbabwe).
“The knowledge is there and those at home can benefit from our exposure. I have been coaching for 12 years at various age-groups in the UK, surely I can give back this knowledge to improve our football,” Mutsanya added.
The ball is in Zimbabwe’s court. How she chooses to make use of her highly qualified coaches in the diaspora will be down to being open-minded about our football. Picking their minds in whatever capacity calls for an open door policy. As Kenny Mutsanya, the rising coach, said: “I want to be ready!”
Many are ready!
I can only say, all the best!
Sisonke!
Online Reporter