Online Reporter
Mugove Chigada-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN Norman Mapeza walked into Scottland in January, it was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the Castle Lager Premiership transfer window dealings — one of the most decorated coaches joining the most ambitious club in the top-flight.
The initial unveiling by the club’s benefactor, Wicknell Chivayo, broke the internet.
Yet several weeks after that historic PSL moment, there remains a number of untold stories.
Mapeza was not only walking into a club with many ambitions but was reuniting with his past — many of the players that he had either coached in Warriors colours or at FC Platinum.
In an exclusive interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday, he opened up on his reunion with Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, team manager Peter Ndlovu and other players from his past.
It is one for the archives and a conversation that seems to evoke fond memories.
“It was good to meet him (Knowledge Musona) again,” said Mapeza, with much conviction.
And he added he has always enjoyed a “good relationship with the ex-Kaizer Chiefs talisman, and the respect “has been mutual”.
“ . . . the youngsters also benefit so much from him. He remains the same knowledgeable, hardworking and respectful person. He remains a great player.”
Musona was Warriors captain during Mapeza’s different stints with the national team, and the Smiling Assassin seemed to flourish under the coach’s passing brand of football.
However, he admits the striker, who gained vast experience in Germany, Belgium and Saudi Arabia, was not the same, but still played a much more important role in their set-up.
“Just like you, you are not the same as you were 10 years ago . . . But now the likes of Chakuchichi (Tadiwa) and Mafious (Chihweta) have a lot to learn from him . . . And it’s not only Musona but Khama (Billiat) as well.”
Both Musona and Billiat represented what is arguably one of the best Warriors generations ever, if AFCON finals’ qualifications achieved are anything to go by.
Apart from other stars that had joined the champions, Billiat was the first high-profile former Warriors signing for Scottland moving from Yadah at the beginning of last season along with Walter Musona.
Musona (Knowledge) then joined mid-season to help the team win their first title in their first season in the Premiership under coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
In the process, they also claimed the scalp of Mapeza who was then FC Platinum coach.
At Scottland, Mapeza has also been reunited with Godknows Murwira, Peter Mudhuwa, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Walter Musona and Kevin Moyo.
These are key players for Scottland as they try to defend their title and make a big challenge in the CAF Champions League.
“At least they know me personally. And from what I have seen, they are working very hard,” said Mapeza.
“They generally know what to expect, and we covered a lot of ground from the recent pre-season that we had. That includes the whole team.”
But Mapeza’s journey into his past goes deeper than that. Ndlovu is a much bigger chapter.
The two played in the national team, starting with the Dream Team and the years that followed.
More than 30 years later, they now sit on the same technical bench with different roles to play for a team re-writing history and seeking to change football beyond national boundaries.
“Over the years, we have kept in touch . . . We have been catching up and he is a brilliant character. He has been working hard in the past weeks to try and help us grow, trying to make sure that we achieve something,” Mapeza said.
On Sunday Mapeza will be in charge of his first local official match with Scottland at Rufaro when they face Chibuku Super Cup champions Dynamos in a Castle Lager Challenge match. It is a battle not for the faint-hearted. Dynamos, now under Genesis Mangombe, have been on a rebuilding exercise, with many of the key players who helped them survive relegation having left.
The loss in a charity match last week to Highlanders was hard to swallow, and now they must make amends. Mangombe, a former Scottland coach himself, was quoted as saying the game is one they cannot afford to lose.
“We just have to play and win,” he said. “We have been preparing accordingly, but at the end of the day, there will be one winner.”
