Andrew
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
FOR most of their lives, Premiership coaches are engaged in a battle of wits as they try to outdo each other on the touchlines and win the ultimate prize on the domestic football scene.
But the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to the suspension of the game, has brought a rare unity among coaches as they have come together to back the decision to stop all action until the deadly virus is contained. Despite concluding preparations for the 2020 season, Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya is in full support of Government’s move to curtail the spread of the virus.
“This lockdown has been a huge setback after we thought we were done with preparations for the new season, and we were all waiting for the new competition to begin, but in came the world pandemic which has put everything on hold.
“We have lost three lives already as a country and we may lose more and that is why it is important to support the Government’s lockdown initiative to stop the spread of the pandemic,” said Ndiraya.
Dynamos players have been given a programme to follow to maintain their fitness levels.
However, he admitted that it was difficult to monitor progress.
“Our players continue to train individually at home under the supervision of our fitness coach Tendai Chituwa, where he gets daily updates on what they have done. Although it is difficult to get the correct feedback from the players, we, however, believe in their professionalism and trust.”
On his part, Ndiraya is not resting on his laurels.
“I continue to read and research on the dynamics of the game and hope to be more knowledgeable by the time the lockdown ends,” he said.
Highlanders gaffer Mark Harrison reckons people’s safety should come first.
“It has not been business as usual, Covid-19 has been a total disruption, but there is nothing we can do about it. The whole world is in a same position; we have to accept it.
“People have worse things on their hands, people are dying all over the world, football is secondary,” said Harrison.
The Englishman had been in charge of the Bulawayo giants for six weeks before playing the Castle Lager Challenge Cup against league champions FC Platinum when the pandemic caused a halt to global sporting activity.
“It does not mean we stop working completely, for me it has been a positive break.
“It has given me a chance to reflect. I was with the boys for probably six weeks before we played the Super Cup challenge against FC Platinum. It was our one and only competitive game I had seen the players in and it gave me food for thought on what is to come,” said Harrison.
New FC Platinum coach Hendreik Piet de Jong said despite yearning for the league to kick off early, his club was fully behind Government’s initiative to contain the virus.
“We would have loved the season to kick off as early as possible because we are in a good shape and condition, but for now what comes first is the health of the people, because we can play football later.
“I am in full support of what the Government of Zimbabwe has done, we must stop the spread of the virus, and that is the most important thing at this moment,” said the Dutchman.
With a picture of De Jong working on tactics on the a tactical board at his rented apartment in Zvishavane going viral last week, the former Highlanders coach said it was part of his job to come up with plans for his team despite the lack of field sessions.
“I am always researching on the internet and coming up with the tactical plans for the team. I believe as a team we should have enough plans to approach any game. We have a big task ahead of us to defend the league and to do well in the African safari,” De Jong said.
Triangle coach Taurai Mangwiro said despite being football addicts, fighting Covid-19 superseded the game.
“It has been pretty tough. We are football addicts but deep inside you know that the thing we are facing is about life and death, hence as coaches we have to take leading roles to observe the precautionary measures put up by Government to stay safe.
“As spelt out by the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa), we are taking precautions and have given the players some light work to do individually at home, while I have been using the break to research and keep up to date with the modern trends in football,” Mangwiro said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter