dyton mupawaenda
Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter
SINCE joining champions Ngezi Platinum Stars earlier in March, on the eve of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, Kumbirayi Mutiwekuziva has been a worried man.
The former Herentals head coach came in as first assistant to Takesure Chiragwi in a move meant to bolster the Mhondoro side’s technical team in their bid to retain the championship and also make an impression in the CAF Champions League this year.
Despite being a deputy, Mutiwekuziva was worried by the poor start to the season as they picked just one point from the opening three matches.
They finally collected maximum points on Monday at home against Manica Diamonds.
“Everyone was starting to feel the pressure and it was even worse for me because imagine joining a club and positive results do not come by, you begin to feel awkward,” revealed Mutiwekuziva.
“Now I can have a good night’s sleep, we have picked our first win, everyone is now relaxed and I am sure the next games will be easier for us because we have the confidence now.”
Since launching his football journey, Mutiwekuziva has been with Herentals.
He was once Benza’s Advanced Level Management of Business learner in high school before going on to coach his former teacher.
He became instrumental in Herentals’ rise from the second division to the top flight.
They were promoted to the PSL in 2018 and since then they have been a regular top-eight side in the league, except for 2019 season when they finished 11th.
Mutiwekuziva has denied suggestions his move to Ngezi Platinum as an assistant coach is part of a grand plan to stage a coup.
“People talk a lot but Chiragwi and I have been close for long. I have no reason to back-stab him in any way, I simply came here to learn and as well give what I have,” he said.
Despite the slow start to his journey at Ngezi, Mutiwekuziva has been blown away by the new environment and their way of doing business.
“It has been a bit of a tough phase for us but me especially, adjusting on one hand and dealing with the individual pressure of results and I am glad Coach Deco was there for me,” said Mutiwekuziva.
“The set-up here and the way they run things is different from what I was accustomed to, even the routine activities and how the players are treated, it is all new for me.
“Whenever we travel, we have to sleep. Rest is important for the team before and after the game and all that is new.
“They have a good system here starting from junior development, feeding into the seniors and the women’s team. You can see that in Ngezi, sport is a business.”
Mutiwekuziva was left in charge of Ngezi for close to a fortnight when Chiragwi travelled with the senior national team for the Four Nations Tournament in Malawi.
He was tasked with preparing the team ahead of their match against ZPC Kariba in which they collected a point after a goalless deadlock.
His fear, he said, was facing resistance from the players.
“When you are new in a place you do not know what to expect so I feared that maybe in the absence of the head coach, the players may disregard my orders or undermine me,” he said.
“The players gave me the same respect they gave in his (Chiragwi) presence, the environment is always conducive and now after this win, our confidence is high we are headed for good times.
“The relationship between players, technical, and their fans is remarkable, I have never been in such a community and I do not regret taking the daring move, it is a different world and I am happy.
“The community is welcoming and you can see the harmony they have with their team; I feel at home.”
Online Reporter