‘We were like his kids’

(From left standing) Never Gombera, Norman Mapeza, Coach Wieslaw Grabowski, Eddie Dinha. (Kneeling) Felix Antonio and Stewart Murisa

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

FORMER Zimbabwe international Norman Mapeza and a host of players that came through the hands of Wieslaw Grabowski have given moving testimonies of how the Polish football coach shaped their football careers.

The Polish mentor died at the age of 70 in his home country following heart-related complications.

He helped a host of local players to make a foreign breakthrough in their professional careers.

These include the likes of Mapeza, George Mbwando, Alois Bunjira, Dickson Choto, Gift Muzadzi, Takesure Chinyama, Prince Matore, Musareka Jenitala, Shingi Kawondera, Stewart Murisa, Edelbert Dinha, Lloyd Chitembwe, Costa Nhamoinesu; the list is endless.

Grabowski’s first exports to Europe were Mapeza and John Phiri, who went to Poland in 1993.

He was a father figure to us – Mapeza

I’m just lost for words. I met Grabowski in 1989 when I was still playing for Darryn T Under-16. It was myself, Lloyd Chitembwe, Alois Bunjira, and the likes of Gift Muzadzi. That’s when we met Grabowski. Then the following year, he asked us to train with the first team and that time there were senior guys like John Phiri, David Mwanza, Ernest Makosa, Forbes Ndaba. So, we started to train with the first team and, you know, this man, Grabowski he really looked after us. We were like his kids. His house was open for us 24 hours.

Then in 1993, he took me to Poland. That was my first time to go to Europe, and it was from there, then I went to Turkey. Nearly every day, we would talk. Even when I came back home after my stint in Poland, he’s the one who told me I was going to Turkey, and I didn’t even know where Turkey was. But everything was sorted and I went to Turkey, and we were still talking.

He facilitated for the likes of Lloyd Chitembwe, Alois Bunjira, Prince Matore, Gift Muzadzi, Edelbert Dinha to go to Poland. Then after us came the likes of Takesure Chinyama, Dickson Choto, and then the likes of Shingi Kawondera, Musareka Jenitala also went to Poland. He helped a lot of players. It’s unfortunate that I won’t be able to attend his funeral but I’ll keep talking to the wife because yesterday I spoke to her. She’s the one who told me that, yeah, it’s true that the coach is gone.

When he came into the country, that was, I think, in 1984, he also coached so many great footballers who included guys like Stanley Ndunduma, Moses Chunga, Shakeman Tauro and so many guys who made it.

I think so many guys went through his hands, and it’s a huge loss. Unfortunately, in his last few days, he was just staying at home. He tried to revive Darryn T, but it’s always a challenge. His contribution to Zimbabwe football was massive, and I just hope when the wife comes back from Poland, we’ll meet former Darryn T footballers. Then if we agree with the wife, we will have something like a memorial for him.

I’ve lost someone who was like a father to me. Even the wife, those guys really helped a lot in terms of where I am today. May his soul rest in peace.

It’s a sad day in Zim football – Stuart Murisa

I’m really trying to be okay, but it’s difficult. My history with Grabowski is a long one. It’s like a relationship between father and son.

So, he saw us in the Under-16s and the Darryn T reserves and then we were invited to train with the first team. That’s how it all started. He was the first person to give us debuts. We were promoted from the Under-16 straight to the first team and it was a very bold decision for him to play youngsters. We had senior players at Darryn T but Grabowski used to say experience is not age, but how you play and conduct yourself.

There was a time when I was made team captain at a very young age, ahead of seniors like George Nechironga, Forbes Ndaba, Japhet M’parutsa, John Phiri, Wonder Timothy, Sanduka Pakamisa, Raphael Kawondera and the likes.

It was a Super League then, before it became PSL.

Then, you know, he became my coach. He became a father to me.

He played a very big role in who I am and what I am today, both in my football career and in personal life in general. He was there for me as a coach. He was there for me as a father.

He gave me guidance. He taught us football, not taking away anything from the other coaches that raised us. He perfected us, if I could say.

Yeah, he was very passionate. He loved football and always wanted his players to succeed. He always wanted his players to be the best in everything they do. That was Grabowski for you. He coached me in the Under-20 national team, Under-23 and senior national team as well.

He was a funny guy.

You know, he was a funny guy. He used to make jokes. But I mean, he meant business. When it came to football, it was serious business. He was the kind of person who would shout at me when I made a mistake at training. There was a time Alois and myself were prohibited from dribbling, but we would keep dribbling anyway. He would shout in front of everyone and I would leave the training ground angry. But the next thing, he would send someone to call me to talk about it and we would be good again.

All in all, I lost a father, a coach, a mentor, a great man, a legend, if I could say. I’m devastated. It’s difficult to take.

The other side of Grabowski – George Mbwando

1995 All Africa Games, hours before the final against Egypt, there were some reporters lobbying for Chris Kawema in the press to start in the final against Egypt. Chris hadn’t played that much in other games. He was not Grabowski’s favourite. Grabowski was scared of the crowd always, so he had to play him.

After lunch at 10.30 am which was normal with Grabowski, we met for team talk.

“Mr Grabowski I know you don’t like Chris but please be nice to him when you have your team talk,” that was Barry Daka, who was his assistant.

Grabowski just looked at him and kept walking. In the room, Grabowski was walking up and down the room, looking down. You could feel the tension in the room and he raised his head and boom, eye to eye with Chris.

He looked at Chris and started screaming on top of his voice.

“Kurvaaaaa Kawemaaa why you look at me? “What did I do coach?” Chris asked.

“Your face Kurvaaaaa! That’s why Zimbabwe Saints is always in relegated zone.”