Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FC Oden new coach, Willard Katsande, has challenged his charges to embrace their underdog status and produce their best performance when they face star-studded Scottland in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup round of 32 at Baobab tomorrow.
The match pits the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League side against Zimbabwe kings Scottland, who have set their sights on a possible domestic treble — the league, Chibuku Super Cup and ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
Scottland, with a host of local big-name players, are also aiming for the stars as it bids to win the CAF Champions League title on debut.
FC Oden are one of three NRSL Region teams still in the running for honours in the Munhumutapa Cup along with MWOS Under-19 and league debutants Marere.
Marere have also been handed a difficult assignment against FC Platinum at Chahwanda tomorrow, while MWOS Under-19 will host Chatidhege at Ngoni in an early kick-off on the same day.
The three clubs will carry the hopes of the NRSL seek to demonstrate the quality and competitiveness of the league on the national stage.
However, much of the attention will fall on FC Oden’s showdown with Scottland, which will see Katsande plot against his former Warriors teammates Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat.
Musona and Billiat featured in the same Warriors under Katsande’s captaincy at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Interestingly, the trio has a Kaizer Chiefs connection, having played for the Soweto giants at different intervals.
While Musona and Billiat are still playing, Katsande is now trying his hand in coaching.
Katsande acknowledges the gulf in experience and resources between the two teams but wants FC Oden to treat the encounter as an opportunity to measure their progress against top-level opposition.
“We all know that they are the best team in the country and have so much quality. We give them the respect they deserve, but we also want to test ourselves against the best,” said Katsande.
“These are the kind of games in which you need to challenge yourself. All we are going to do is give everything and produce our best performance.”
Katsande described the prospect of facing the celebrated pair of Musona and Billiat from the technical area as a special moment in his developing coaching career.
“Coming up against Musona and Billiat is something special because I know them as players. They are among the top-quality players Zimbabwe has produced over the past two decades.
“They are unbelievable players who can change a game with one action. I am looking forward to the challenge because it is a good test for me as a coach and for my players,” Katsande said.
While his knowledge of the two players could assist FC Oden’s preparations, Katsande warned that familiarity alone would not be enough to neutralise their threat.
He added that FC Oden would focus on maintaining their tactical shape and concentration throughout the encounter, knowing that Scottland’s experienced players can punish the slightest defensive lapse.
“Musona and Billiat possess top-class qualities that every coach would love to have in their team. I often use them as examples when speaking to my players.
“Knowing their game does not mean you can contain them. We are working on our structure to ensure they do not have it easy.
“Total concentration is key when playing against high-profile players like them.”
Scottland will enter the contest as overwhelming favourites owing to the quality and experience within their squad, as well as their strong domestic league campaign.
FC Oden, however, have little to lose and Katsande wants his players to approach the match with confidence rather than fear.
“For sure, Scottland will be favourites because of what they have done in the league.
“We will make sure that we bring out the little lion inside FC Oden so that we can compete.”
The encounter gives FC Oden players a rare platform to compete against some of the country’s most decorated footballers and announce themselves on the national stage.
Cup games of this nature are also famed for their huge upsets and shocks, and FC Oden could script one of their own tomorrow.
Katsande believes eliminating Scottland would constitute one of the biggest results in FC Oden’s history and provide a significant boost for the Northern Region.
“Victory would be something big in the history of the team and for the region in which we play.
“It would also mean a lot to me as a young coach who is determined to leave a mark on Zimbabwean football.”
The Munhumutapa Challenge Cup brings together teams from different levels of Zimbabwean football, giving lower-division clubs an opportunity to compete against established top-flight sides.
