Chronicle Editor
Noel Munzabwa, Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE football coach Samkeliso Paradzai Ncube is set to join New York-based USL League 2 outfit Pathfinder FC in the United States.
Pathfinder FC is an extension of Spanish fifth-tier side FC Malaga City where Ncube was attached to.
Ncube (33) will join a growing list of Zimbabwean coaches in the United States such as Charles Mhlauri, Methembe
‘Mayor’ Ndlovu and Thulani ‘Biya’ Ncube, among others.
“I am obviously excited with the development, especially after thinking the Spain post was the limit, but it shows the sky is the limit after all. I am in Harare waiting for my visa to travel and join the team,” said Ncube.
His stint at FC Malaga City saw the Spanish side getting promoted to the Division de Honor after winning the lower strata, something Ncube will cherish for a long time.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to hone my skills in one of the best footballing countries in the world. They have an amazing football culture and I’m going to absorb as much of the good stuff as possible. I think it is good for local coaches to be exposed to international methods so that we can help improve the quality of our local football and its competitiveness.
“Zimbabwe football needs rebuilding from grassroots right to the top. We need to produce well developed players if we are to succeed,” said Ncube.
Born in Harare, Ncube grew up at Chikurubi Support Unit camp where his father was a police officer and started playing football at a tender age, but got injured early in his career. That is when he switched to coaching.
“Thank God it all happened in good faith. When I got my first coaching licence, I was at Black Mambas with my brother John Toto Ncube, who helped me because of his experience. I later moved to Twalumba and worked with Wilson Mutekede, Mike Madzivanyika and Gift ‘Umbro’ Muzadzi,
“That’s where I got the nickname Young Pep when the owner of Twalumba, the late Nkululeko Sibanda, said on my birthday ‘Pep we need the championship’. I then moved to Caps/Gunners Development side with Darlington Dodo, Ikabort Masocha, Stewart Murisa and James Matola. I became head coach of Big Five FC, taking over from Joseph ‘Shabba’ Takaringofa,” he said.
Ncube then relocated to South Africa where he became assistant coach to Backlyfield Chivenga.
Online Reporter