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Tadious Manyepo
TAKESURE CHIRAGWI is just a young man idolising Kaizer Chiefs and Warriors star midfielder Tinashe “Father” Nengomasha.
Nengomasha has jumped through many hoops while growing up in Glen Norah to become one of the stars of the game in Southern Africa.
Just like many other budding footballers witnessing this remarkable story unfold first-hand, given that Nengomasha hails from the same neighbourhood, Chiragwi has developed keen interest in football.
He wants to carve his own niche and inspire others, especially in the same suburb — just like what Nengomasha is doing.
He is small in stature, but, as they say, dynamite comes in small packages.
The pint-sized youngster has the drive.
Determination carries his dream.
And, in no time, he is a CAPS United player. He makes a name for himself playing at left-back. Chiragwi is a reserved character but never shy of dishing out one or two instructions to his teammates.
He stands out in this regard.
And, as if it is a calling, the man — known to friends simply as “Deco”, after the legendary ex-Portuguese and Barcelona midfielder — decides to undergo coaching studies while he is still a player.
In no time, he is making headlines after transitioning into coaching.
He leads financially struggling Shabanie Mine FC, and, although the Zvishavane outfit eventually sinks, Chiragwi stays afloat.
Of course, he is still a rookie and cannot immediately find a new home.
He only crawls back after veteran gaffer Rodwell Dhlakama ropes him in as his assistant at Ngezi Platinum Stars in 2020.
Fate sees Dhlakama resigning from his post at the start of 2022 and Chiragwi takes over on a caretaker basis.
He does not stay long in that capacity, as the ambitious platinum miners bring Benjani Mwaruwari on board. The former Warriors captain comes with Nengomasha in tow as the team manager. But Chiragwi — a favourite of the Ngezi club executives — reverts to being an assistant. Mwaruwari, himself a rookie coach, however, does not stand the Premiership heat and gets the sack.
Strong bond
Once again, Chiragwi takes temporary charge of Ngezi.
He cannot sack Nengomasha for obvious reasons. With positive results, including an 11-match unbeaten run towards the end of the 2022 season, the ex-CAPS United fullback gets the job on a substantive basis and immediately recommends that Nengomasha, the man he idolised, stays on as his subordinate.
“I can tell you that Nengomasha is someone I grew looking up to. He was a big star and influenced most of the youngsters in Glen Norah,” said Chiragwi.
“He made us believe that with focus one can attain his dreams. Having him in my dressing room is something that I cherish a lot. He is one respectful guy who is eager to listen. He is an easy-going mate; you will never believe he played at the highest level.
“We have a strong bond and that has helped us achieve what we have achieved together.” Ngezi yesterday clinched the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title after dismissing Simba Bhora 2-1 at Baobab Stadium.
The game had an interesting subplot as Tonderai Ndiraya, himself Ngezi’s former coach, handed over the title to Chiragwi.
They can complete the double if they beat Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup final at Baobab Stadium on December 3.
“If there is anything that I credit for this success story, then it should be the zeal amongst everyone.
“About three-quarters of the players who have carried us through are from our own development side, and they were nurtured by the hand of our assistant coach, mudhara Klifton Kadurira,” added Chiragwi.
“He is always ready to assist and his knowledge about those players helped us in a very big way.
“The respect he gives me is incredible and we enjoy our relationship a lot.”
Nengomasha said having Chiragwi as his boss made for a harmonious working relationship at the club.
“Chiragwi is a cool coach who is ready to listen to advice.
“We respect each other a lot,” said Nengomasha.
“He treats everyone in the dressing room equally and, as a result, everyone wants him to be successful.
“Everyone works knowing full well that they are appreciated in what they do.”
Apart from Nengomasha and Kadurira, whom he has stayed closer to and worked with during his tenure as interim coach at the club, Chiragwi also has a close associate in the technical crew — goalkeepers’ trainer Claudias Gunduza. Gunduza was the goalkeepers’ coach when Chiragwi joined the now-defunct Northern Region Division One outfit Heartly in 2015 as a player.
The two used to get on very well back then. Strikingly, one of the youngest goalkeepers Gunduza was nurturing, while Chiragwi was also playing, was Nelson Chadya.
Yes, the Ngezi goalkeeper played in the same team with his boss Chiragwi back then. Chadya — one of the favourites for the Soccer Star of the Year accolade — was just 15 at the time.
“I was the goalkeepers’ coach at Heartly when coach Chiragwi joined as a player in 2015,” said Gunduza.
“He was one of the senior players and one could easily tell how good a leader he would become.
“As a goalkeepers’ coach, one of the guys I had was Nelson Chadya. He was very young but very much willing to work.
“Chiragwi was still a player but imagine he would always have his arm around the young Chadya and always encouraged him.”
Online Reporter