By Nkanyiso Moyo
SUNDAY Chidzambwa will have a second dance with the Zimbabwe national soccer team after he was unveiled as the Warriors’ new coach on Thursday.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) announced it would not be renewing current coach Jose Valinhos’ contract when it expires on December 31.
Chidzambwa, formerly known as Marimo, will be assisted by Shooting Stars coach Joey Antipas.
The two coaches were unveiled to the media at ZIFA House in Harare on Thursday.
With Brazilian Valinhos waiting to see out his contract, Chidzambwa and Antipas are expected to take charge of the Zimbabwe team that will host South Africa on November 30 in the Africa Nations Championships – a tournament designed for players from domestic African leagues.
The Brazilian, who was expected to be the architect of Zimbabwe’s qualification to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and continental showpiece, the Africa
Cup of Nations finals in Angola, failed at the second of three hurdles for the two tournaments.
He flopped when he could only finish third behind Kenya and Guinea in the group qualifiers and a 4-2 drubbing by Namibia was the final straw. Zimbabweans were clear about that they had had enough of him and ZIFA.
Chidzambwa’s resume speaks for itself having won virtually everything on Zimbabwean soil as a player and years later as Dynamos coach. He was capped over 40 times for the country before and after Independence.
As Dynamos coach, he wrote himself a piece of history when he qualified for the African Champions League final in 1998 and in 1999 he was back in the business guiding the Harare outfit to the mini league stage of the same competition.
On his way to guiding his country to a first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations finals played in Tunisia in 2003, Chidzambwa had won the country’s second COSAFA Castle Cup the previous year.
This year Chidzambwa was involved in the Dynamos structures as the most popular Zimbabwean team reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in the capacity of technical director to a team coached by David Mandigora a teammate during the team’s magnificent run of 1980-1983 a period in which they won four consecutive titles.
www.newzimbabwe.com
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Mapeza disqualified
MONOMOTAPA mentor, Norman Mapeza, was chopped out of the coach of the year award nominees as the Sports Writers Association of Zimbabwe, gathered for the selection in Kwekwe, on November 15.
Despite taking over an average team to save it from relegation, last season, to inspire it into topping the table having outwitted champions, Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United, Mapeza still was stripped off of the tag –coach of the year.
SWAZ Marketing director, Charles Mabika told reporters before they could hand over their nominees ‘Monomotapa was sanctioned for not playing the CBZ FA Cup semi-final and Mapeza precipitated the violence –we are condemning violence in the strongest terms.’
‘So for this reason Mapeza is out,’ Mabika added.
For a coach who has been outstanding with his leadership and coaching skills, Mapeza was with no doubt, the man for the title despite being a reserved character to the media, therefore failing to share his vast knowledge of the game with the people.
He has passionate love for football that drives him to be very vocal and critical of the referees, hardly sitting on the bench, during his matches.
A man who would certainly react to any kind of provocation such as the incident at Sakubva stadium, a fortnight ago.
That is the character of the former national team skipper –and starving him of a well deserved coach of the year award meant overlooking his achievement so far to focus on an incident any human would have reacted the same way.
There were mixed feelings among the panel of selectors in Kwekwe, last weekend, as some sports writers felt that ‘Mapeza had been treated unfairly’
Standardsport’s veteran sports editor, Lloyd Mutungamiri, told The Zimbabwean ‘that criteria is embarrassing on our part, my position is, whoever shall be awarded, should do the right thing and hand over the award to the person who deserves it; who in this case is Mapeza.’
‘I have known Mapeza since his days at Darryn-T and he will never point a finger at anyone,’ Mutungamiri added.
The decision left eyes focused on Dynamos head coach, David Mandigora and Njube Sundowns’ Philani Ncube.
Mandigora has been in charge of the Glamour Boys during their campaign in the MTN Caf Champions League, in which De-mbare emerged one of the top four teams on the continent.
He has a good record of discipline on and off the field.
But the shoes for the coach-of-the-year are simply big for Yogie.
Dynamos is one of the teams, if not the only team with talented players from the first eleven, right through their bench, a team that can afford resting stylish midfielder, Justice Majabvi, Edward Sadomba, goalkeeper Willard Manyatera –selected as 2008 CBZ PSL soccer stars of the year- and go on to win a match.
It is not to take away anything away from Yogie, but after the dubious substitutes during league matches, the surprising starting line-up against Al Ahly, at Rufaro stadium, he is one coach the nation can only admire for his character and determination but not trust as coach of the year.
Ncube of Sundowns has done a commendable job in leading his team into the top three teams on the table, with his charges remaining consistent in the league.
He is potentially a 2008 coach-of-the-year after Mapeza’s expulsion.
Cup Semi-final mess
The CBZ FA Cup semi-final was a dismal failure last weekend with the rival match between Dynamos and Caps United never reaching the final whistle.
In Mutare, the two teams Monomotapa and Eastern Lions never took their battle to the park, but Mapeza and his charges left for Harare, following the former national team captain’s assault.
Mapeza was assaulted by a named member of Eastern Lions’ supporters committee who gave hit him in the face, giving him a cut on top of his left eye. He was treated and given two stitches before he left Mutare, but some officials in the football circles have argued that, Mapeza ‘should have at least played under protest.’
‘Sometimes it is of no use to complain, when you know your complaints will not be considered. I can not risk my players in any way,’ Mapeza said.
Meanwhile, referee Tendai Bwanya was unfortunate to be in charge of the whistle during a period when local referees have been criticized for dubious officiating, a time when Dynamos supporters were hungry to watch their team revenging Caps United of the ABC Sup8r semi-final victory.
‘We would rather be beaten by schoolboys, Prince Edward than be outplayed by Dynamos,’ a Green Machine follower said.
There was tension, but Bwanya handled it fairly. He didn’t fall for Edward Sadomba’s professional dive in the box, 19 minutes into play and the only blunder of the day was when he did not award the reigning league champions a penalty, when in the 35th minute, defender David Kutyauripo handled in the box.
He certainly could not have made a remedy by awarding Justice Majabvi a penalty after a foul by Method Mwanjali, just outside the box.
Unfortunately without a replay of the action, the infuriated Dynamos supporters in the terraces could not forgive Bwanya and started throwing things on the pitch. The match was abandoned with the Green Machine leading 2-1.
In Mutare, the two teams Monomotapa and Eastern Lions never took their battle to the park, but Mapeza and his charges left for Harare, following the former national team captain’s assault.
Mapeza was assaulted by a named member of Eastern Lions’ supporters committee who gave hit him in the face, giving him a cut on top of his left eye. He was treated and given two stitches before he left Mutare, but some officials in the football circles have argued that, Mapeza ‘should have at least played under protest.’
‘Sometimes it is of no use to complain, when you know your complaints will not be considered. I can not risk my players in any way,’ Mapeza said.
Meanwhile, referee Tendai Bwanya was unfortunate to be in charge of the whistle during a period when local referees have been criticized for dubious officiating, a time when Dynamos supporters were hungry to watch their team revenging Caps United of the ABC Sup8r semi-final victory.
‘We would rather be beaten by schoolboys, Prince Edward than be outplayed by Dynamos,’ a Green Machine follower said.
There was tension, but Bwanya handled it fairly. He didn’t fall for Edward Sadomba’s professional dive in the box, 19 minutes into play and the only blunder of the day was when he did not award the reigning league champions a penalty, when in the 35th minute, defender David Kutyauripo handled in the box.
He certainly could not have made a remedy by awarding Justice Majabvi a penalty after a foul by Method Mwanjali, just outside the box.
Unfortunately without a replay of the action, the infuriated Dynamos supporters in the terraces could not forgive Bwanya and started throwing things on the pitch. The match was abandoned with the Green Machine leading 2-1.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Last throw of the dice for Warriors
WARRIORS skipper Benjani Mwaruwari has missed his own October 2 deadline to return to action and has been ruled out of Saturday’s World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Namibia in Windhoek.
www.newzimbabwe.com
An 18-man squad left for Windhoek on Thursday.
Mwaruwari has missed the start of the English Premiership for Manchester City and his absence deals a cruel blow to Brazilian coach Valinhos who is looking at one last great leap in the campaign after last month’s 0-0 draw against Guinea at home.
The Warriors are third and should group leaders Kenya beat Guinea and Zimbabwe beat Namibia, the Warriors might be still in with a chance.
Benjani’s absence and that of defender Noel Kaseke and midfielder Justice Majabvi through injuries was confirmed by manager Sharrif Mussa.
Gilbert Mushangazhike of Orlando Pirates, Quincy Antipas who plays in Denmark and Cuthberth Malajila are the remaining strikers in the team as Dynamos striker Edward Sadomba has reportedly gone AWOL.
Method Mwanjali is back in the team with Pride Tafirenyika, goalkeeper Willard Manyatera and Ovid Karuru are also in the squad together with regular David Kutyauripo of CAPS United, among other local-based stars.
The rest of the team is unchanged -- Obert Moyo, Onisimo Bhasera, James Matola, Zvenyika Makonese, Esrom Nyandoro, Joel Luphahla, Tapuwa Kapini, Energy Murambadoro, Tinashe Nengomasha.
The Warriors need to win the match against Namibia and hope that Kenya beat Guinea and they will then enter FIFA’s complex mathematics of qualifying for the next round, where eight best losers will join the 12 group winners.
The 12 teams ranked first automatically qualify for the third round. For the eight teams ranked second, the following system will be adopted to rank fairly teams ranked second in the current groups of four or three teams: For teams in groups of four, a new classification will be made for teams ranked second. Only their results with teams ranked first and third in their respective groups (home and away) would be taken into account. Results of matches with the team ranked fourth will not be taken into consideration.
For teams ranked second in groups of three, all their matches will be taken into account.
The teams will then be put on a table and classed based on the number of points, the goal difference then the highest number of goals scored.
The eight best losers based on this classification will be added to the 12 group winners, and the teams would be through to the nest round of qualification.
If teams ranked eighth and ninth are equal on all those measures, a playoff match will be organised next month.
The 20 countries that qualified for the third round will be drawn in five groups of four teams and the first three teams in each group will qualify for the final tournament of the 2010 CAN along the organising country (Angola).
For the group of Angola, in case Angola qualifies for the 3rd round, the other three teams in its group will qualify automatically for the CAN 2010. The ranking of
this group will be done to determine which team will qualify for the World Cup.
For the group of South Africa, in case South Africa qualifies for the 3rd round, there will be two separate rankings. The other three teams will be ranked within the group in order to determine which team will qualify for the World Cup (this ranking will not take into account the results of these teams with South Africa).
Another second ranking will be carried out with the four teams taking into account all the group's results to determine the three teams that will qualify for CAN 2010. South Africa must be at least amongst the top three to qualify for the Nations Cup.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Tapuwa Kapini (Platinum Stars, SA), Energy Murambadoro (Bidvest Wits, SA)
Defenders: David Kutyauripo (CAPS United, Zim), Onismor Bhasera (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), Zhaimu Jambo (Gunners, Zim), Zvenyika Makonese (Santos, SA), James Matola (Free State Stars, SA), Obert Moyo Pretoria University, SA), Method Mwanjali (CAPS United, Zim)
Midfielders: Esrom Nyandoro (Mamelodi Sundowns, SA), Tinashe Nengomasha (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), Joel Luphahla (Platinum Stars, SA), Ovidy Karuru (Gunners, Zim), Pride Tafirenyika (Shooting Stars, Zim), C Matawu (Motor Action, Zim)
Strikers: Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders, Zim), Gilbert Mushangazhike (Orlando Pirates, SA), Quincy Antipas (Blokhus FC, Denmark)
Group 2 Log:
Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | |
1 | Kenya | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
2 | Guinea | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 8 |
3 | Zimbabwe | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
4 | Namibia | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 10 |
Friday, October 10, 2008
Chawaguta confident of cricketers
The Zimbabwean cricket team will face Sri Lanka, in a one day international series on October 10, before facing the host, Canada, on October 11, in a four-nation Twent20 tournament.
This will be Zimbabwe's second international outing after the tour of Pakistan in January.
Despite missing the services of potential hard-hitting batsmen Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams, the inconsistent but talented national team boasts a handful of experienced young players.
Among them is all-rounder, Elton Chigumbura, wicket-keeper/batsman, Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikenyeri Hamilton Masakadza and off-spinners, Raymond Price, captain Prosper Utseya and Graeme Cremer.
National team coach, Walter Chawaguta, is confident that the new kid on the block, Cephas Zhuwawo (pictured), who has impressed as an opening batsman, will use the tour to boost his confidence.
"Vusi is an attacking opening batsman, replacing him will be difficult but we have young and promising stars. Zhuwawo has been doing well in local super leagues and the tour of Canada and Kenya should put him where he should be," Chawaguta said.
Zimbabwe will play Pakistan on October 12, in Toronto.
Chawaguta hopes that history will repeat itself after their surprise victory over Australia in the Twenty20 World Cup, held in South Africa last year.
"We have been playing a number of competitive Super leagues, which were in the form of twenty20 cricket and they have helped the boys prepare for their assignment," Chawaguta said.
After the last match in Canada, on October 12, Chawaguta and his troops will tour Kenya, for the tri-angular series featuring Ireland, Zimbabwe and the hosts.
The eight-day tournament will be played at the Nairobi Gymkhana club, where the three countries will play a round robin series before a final.
Despite Zimbabwe's suspension from next year's edition of the Twenty20 global showpiece in England, the countries involved in the tour of Canada and Kenya have been reported to be "comfortable with playing against Zimbabwe."
Squad: Prosper Utseya (captain), Regis Chakabva, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Tymcen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Taurai Muzarabani, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu, Cephas Zhuwao. Coach- Walter Chawaguta, Manager- Givemore Makoni.
The secret behind Monomotapa
HARARE - Eemerging Harare giants, Monomotapa Football Club, have enjoyed life on the top of the CBZ premier soccer league, log standings for several months.
There is debate about whether the champions, Dynamos, will catch up or if the Glamour Boys will watch the cup slipping away, with Monos' every win fueling the debate.
With the players' hunger for victory, the dedication and passionate love of football by the head coach and the commitment of the team sponsors, Monomotapa will claim a place among the big three of Zimbabwean football: Caps United, affectionately known as The Green Machine, Dynamos and Highlanders, also known as Bosso.
What has made Monomotapa tick this year?
They certainly did not take advantage of The Green Machine's low form this season, neither will their power over Bosso in the first half of the season, be related to the team's blunder of firing a loyal and tactful coach, Methembe Ndlovu, nor was their dominance over De-mbare due to David Mandigora's typical challenge of reading games.
They are all football can ask for from a good quality team.
The team headed by Mapeza, consists of assistant Rodwell Dhlakama, team manager Clayton Munemo, and lady medic Loveness Mangena.
On several visits to the team's training sessions at Alex Sports Club, The Zimbabwean witnessed a strong bond between Mapeza and his charges. He has been described by captain, Mthulisi Maphosa, as a coach very good in motivating his troops.
Mapeza, 36, the youngest coach in the premier league, has been described by other football analyst as being "too serious", hardly relaxing on the bench even when his team is in control of the game.
"I'm serious because I want to win, people have to be serious in everything they aim to achieve in life, I hate losing," Mapeza said.
Mapeza has always made sure he doesn't get too close to his team off the field.
"If players get too close to the coach, they tend to lose their respect for him," he said.
Monomotapa do not train twice daily, but they do train 24 hours before a match, a day most coaches prefer to rest their players for the big game.
All the credit for the club's remarkable performance so far, will not be hailed to the technical team alone. The boys have shown a lot of maturity and have plunged into their battles with the team at heart.
Among them is Daniel Zokoto, Maphosa, Charles Chiutsa, Godfrey Mangove, Tendai Samanja and Luckmore Simango.
"We have players who are not mercenaries, players who have been there for the club since division one and players who have the team at heart. Though we did not struggle to the point of fighting relegation in 2005, the loss of experienced Malawian based players, Peter Mponda, Robert Nga'mbi and Patrick Nyasulu back to their countries due to the country's economic challenges affected us. But we are happy we survived and the coach has managed to share his experiences as a player with the team," Club Secretary, David Makombe said.
KOBA outwit Volleyball giants
HARARE - The Kutama Old Boys Association outwitted volleyball heavyweights, Bulldogs, 3-2 in the Cransburg's Super 8 tournament on October 4.
Bulldogs, who had never tasted defeat on the local scene, got a surprise when KOBA came from behind to grab the title in a tightly contested last set.
National team player and best spiker of the tournament, Tatenda Mapigoti, powered Bulldogs to a 2-0 lead with his powerful jump serves and attack, giving KOBA's experienced players Karlee Chiware, captain Tawanda Sithole, Kudzi Chironga and Everisto Mupukuta, a tough time.
But Chiware and Mupukuta turned the tables in the last three sets leading the attack as Sithole mounted a strong block.
Despite Bulldogs setter, Tawanda Pamire's splendid second balls that were met with a strong finish by Tendai Mupingu, KOBA had faith in Tendai Mugamu who scooped the best setter award.
"We could see it coming because we had so much prepared for this tournament, now I can say we are the team to beat," Sithole said.
Meanwhile, Gweru's Railton Cats won the women's edition of the Super 4 showdown.
They outwitted Dolphins and Jewel Sisters as Thobekile Mswazi and Patricia Muzokomba won the best spiker and most valuable player respectively.
Dolphins' Maceline Ngosi, was awarded the best receiver.
Jewel Sisters' Portia Chiwetu was dubbed the best blocker as the best setter award went to Eunice Mutede of J.S Harare.
Picture caption: Dolphins' Grace Chirumanzu volleys a fish ball behind J.S Harare's block. J.S won 3-2 over Dolphins.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
GOLDEN GIRL
Zimbabwe's swimming sensation, Kirsty Coventry, 24, collects a gold medal in the 200m backstroke in the 2008 Beijing Olymics. Coventry also won three silver medals in the Individual medleys.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Latest CBZ PSL Log standings
| TEAM | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | G/F | G/A | Points | |
| 1 | Monomotapa | 16 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 21 | 34 |
| 2 | Njube Sundowns | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 27 | 20 | 28 |
| 3 | Highlanders | 16 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 24 | 10 | 27 |
| 4 | Motor Action | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 27 |
| 5 | Dynamos | 15 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 27 |
| 6 | Chapungu | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 14 | 23 |
| 7 | Kiglon | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 22 |
| 8 | Shooting Stars | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 17 | 22 |
| 9 | Lengthens | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 20 | 22 | 20 |
| 10 | Masvingo United | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 21 | 20 |
| 11 | Underhill | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 24 | 33 | 19 |
| 12 | Gunners | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
| 13 | CAPS United | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 21 | 17 |
| 14 | Eastern Lions | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 18 | 17 |
| 15 | CAPS FC | 16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 20 | 15 |
| 16 | | 15 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 24 | 13 |
TOP GOAL SCORERS:
| PLAYER & TEAM | GOALS |
| Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns) | 15 |
| Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders) | 12 |
| Edward Sadomba (Dynamos) | 10 |
| Nyasha Mushekwi (CAPS United), Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa) | 7 |
| Tawanda Nyamandwe (Kiglon), Douglas Zimbago (Highlanders) | 6 |
| Simon Chipunza ( | 5 |
| Thanks Tengwe (Gunners), Patrick Tom (Sundowns), Kudakwashe Musharu (Underhill) | 4 |
| | |
Mapeza remains humble
Former Warriors defensive midfielder, 36-year-old Norman Mapeza, may not be promising the title for Monomotapa players but his charges have learnt a lot from their head coach. Off field Mapeza is a down to earth gentleman, in contrast to the short-tempered and vocal head coach usually seen at Dzivarasekwa stadium.
G.C What has been the secret behind Monos’ success?
N.M In football there are what are called the three ‘D’s, that’s discipline, determination and dedication. Discipline on and off the field comes first and it is something I brought to the club, my boys know what I tell them about going to the refs when one is not a captain, I’m against that. There is also unity; I have a good relationship with my assistant and the team manager.
G.C Speaking of referees, how have you find the standard of refereeing in
N.M One thing we should understand is referees are human and they do make mistakes at times, they need us as much as we need them. Its pointless for teams to complain about referees when they would have not even made any attempts to score, they should score 10 goals and watch the referee call them all off and then everyone would know they have been cheated.
G.C You had a false start of the season, losing your first four games. What was the problem then?
N.M We were really playing well in those first games, it was only that luck was not on our side.
G.C Normally when a team is not doing well, they risk their coach’s job. How were your bosses taking it? Did they give you any conditions?
N.M No, it never was like that. They were appreciating that the boys were doing their best and like I said it was a matter of not being lucky enough.
G.C You helped Monos survive relegation last year and this season the boys are enjoying life at the top of the log. Do you believe you are the man to help Monos win the title this year?
N.M It is still too early to talk of the championship. There are still about 45 points at stake and every team is still in with a big chance; even if
G.C You hardly sit on the bench when your team is playing, even when you are winning. Many have seen you to be too serious as a coach.
N.M Yes I’m a serious coach because I want to win, I hate losing that’s why. Just like in everything we do in life, if we want to achieve anything we have to be serious. I have time to make jokes but if it is during a match or training, I’m always serious.
G.C There were issues of you exchanging words with Valinhos during a national team training, the reports never featured your voice, what is your side of the story?
N.M There wasn’t anything like that; those people don’t know what happened. I don’t have a problem with Valinhos; there wasn’t anything like exchange of words. I still have respect for him.
G.C Tell us of your dream
N.M My dream is to win titles as a coach. I have done well as a player, winning medals, shields and trophies but I have not yet achieved titles as a coach.
G.C Which young players do you see with a promising future in
N.M Aah..! It is really difficult to tell these days. You see the problem in
G.C How do you feel seeing your former club, Caps United, struggling in the league?
N.M I had a good time when I was at Caps United. When a big team struggles it affects everyone who is associated with it, but it is something that happens in football. I hope things will be well for them.
G.C Tell us of your memories in the national team?
N.M It was when we beat
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Maringwa soldier on
Maringwa Continues to Defy Odds [interview]
Harare, May 01, 2008 (The Herald/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --
JUST when many people thought he would throw in the towel and hang up his boots after being weighed down by a spate of injuries that followed a horrific knee injury he suffered in 2000, veteran Dynamos midfielder Desmond Maringwa has defied all odds and soldiered on.
Only last Sunday, Maringwa turned back the hands of time to the days when he was a raw teenager, when he illuminated Gwanzura with a vintage midfield show that inspired Dynamos to a crucial 1-0 victory over African Champions Etoile Sportive Du Sahel.
The 29-year-old Maringwa, who shrugged off injuries in the second half of last season to help Dynamos win a rare league and cup double, this week spoke about his time at DeMbare, the only club he has played for in his long career.
How does it feel having completed a remarkable recovery to play a part in Dynamos' league and cup double success last season?
Well! It really felt great to be part of the Dynamos team that won the league championship after 10 years.
To me it meant a lot because I was also in the team that had last won it in 1997. After the terrible injury, I spent three years without playing but I kept on praying to God and I said Lord please give me another chance to play and I thank the Lord for affording me that opportunity again.
What would you say was the turning point of your career after you had fully recovered and resumed playing?
I was really dogged by more injuries when I came back, maybe I had not fully recovered when I resumed playing because there was no balance in the muscle bulk of my legs.
The one that got injured (left knee) was a bit weak and even up to now it has changed the way I walk or run.
At times when people see me limp it is not that I would be in pain now but unfortunately I now run and walk with a limp as a result of that injury but I have fully recovered.
I think the turning point was in August last year after I had had a slow start to the season due to a quad muscle problem, which kept me out for another two months. I had played in the first six weeks of the season. When I came back in August there was no looking back and I was happy to play in the league and cup matches but I have had consultations with my doctor and I still have to go to South Africa for a review when we return from Tunisia.
Many players in your predicament would have long decided to hang up their boots, so what is it that drives you?
It is the passion, the commitment and the love that you have for whatever you want to do in life, no matter how hard it is.
I took it as a challenge so if you do not meet challenges in life you will not achieve your goals.
What happened to me really made me stronger as an individual.
But what is the secret behind your decision to stick with Dynamos in good and bad times?
It is really very funny because I grew up supporting CAPS United, I was so fanatic about them and I would cry if they lost. But it changed some time when I was still at school and I was amazed by Dynamos' huge following and I felt it would be nice if I played for all those supporters and that swayed my decision to go and train with the Dynamos Under-13 team.
From then on I decided that I would stick with this team but nobody knows what the future holds maybe I will leave Dynamos one day but they will always be my home.
You graduated from the Dynamos juniors; do you sometimes feel frustrated when you do not see a lot of the young players coming from the system?
It is really disturbing because there are so many great players who came from the junior system at Dynamos. I think it is only the system that needs to be corrected and I am sure that is addressed because we now have Elvis Chiweshe, who is fully in charge and has a couple of coaches working with him.
Hopefully it will produce results and we will see more players coming from there.
You have been rewarded with the vice-captaincy of the team, is this something that you expected given your long service to the club?
It is really not an issue to me because there was a time when I was offered the captaincy and I declined because I thought they needed to bring in somebody younger to carry the team and I would only come in to help as a senior player. In fact, because of my experience and the fact that I am always helping the other players I have always regarded myself as one of the team's captains.
One might say it has to do with my long service to but I think because of my on and off situation through injuries it would have been tough for the coaches to make me captain because they would have to debate whether I would always be there as captain.
So what are some of the highlights of your long career with Dynamos?
The time that we played in the Champions League final in 1998. It really gave me a feeling of what football is like and the time I played in the Warriors showed me what football entails.
Because I was playing in a team with a lot of senior and experienced players... Murape Murape and myself were the only juniors then, it made me grow up faster in the game because I learnt a lot from all those seniors.
How did it feel scoring that important winner against Etoile Du Sahel at Gwanzura?
It was great. I don't score that many goals but all the time it is all about the team because the result is what is important for me. It is not much of an issue who scores, what satisfies me is whether we would have played well as a team and done the right thing.
So how has been the reception from the club's fans after that goal?
They are really excited about it and have been congratulating me but again I tell them that it is all about the team because Rueben (Mhlanga) sent in a good cross from the left too. But it is still very tough for us because in Africa you have to concentrate highly for 90 minutes.
Having been part of the 1998 and 1999 squads that reached the mini-league, how long do you think it will take Dynamos to build such a formidable side?
It really takes courage and mental strength on the part of the players. Teamwork and team spirit also play a hand. In 1998 and 1999, we had so many experienced players some of whom knew that it was their only chance for success because they nearing the end of their careers. We had players in the 29-31 age group.
The current squad has youngsters but this is also a chance for them to market themselves and I think this can be to our advantage because they were really itching to play Etoile and test themselves against the big guys.
Right now they are all anxious to experience and feel what it is like to play a team like Etoile away from home and we are trying to bring in that experience and team spirit we had in 1998 and I am sure with that we can build another formidable side.
You have also been recalled to the Warriors, eight years on, what do you make of it?
It is a great honour and I give thanks to the coaches who have selected me and I will give my 200 percent effort whether it is for my club or my country.
If given a chance I will try to prove that I still have something to offer to the nation and I am itching to prove that I am up to it.
What lessons do you think some of the younger players can draw from your experience?
First and foremost, it is commitment. They have to have commitment and discipline. They also need to learn as much as they can about football because football takes you so much effort to reach the top but it takes you just a minute or two to relax and fall from grace.
So the youngsters need to have consistency and ask from the seniors who have been there already, it does not necessarily have to be seniors from their own clubs.
Having played in the Premiership for over a decade what do you think of the standard of the local game... is it improving?
I think firstly it has to do with the current economic situation but the kind of grounds we have in the country are not conducive for good football. They are so terrible and bumpy you can't really control the ball they way you want to. Of course, people might think it is the players but we need to improve the standards of the pitches first and the good players we have will show their game.
Shooting Stars, CAPS United, Highlanders, CAPS FC are all playing good football but if the pitches do not improve the standard will not come out well.
Although I cannot say the standard is improving I think it is still okay and considering that even as Dynamos we have done fairly well so far in Africa and that shows we are not too bad as a Premiership. I also believe if clubs are really sponsored well they will become motivated and players will give it their best, the players need to be provided with better training equipment too.
What, in your view, needs to be done to ensure the Young Warriors are as strong as your generation that would produce players who graduated into the senior team?
I think we must have continuity from the Under-17 right through to the top. Once you identify talent you must continue to build on the teams so that the national coach does not have a big problem assembling a team.
We should not be learning the basics at the senior team. This should be done at Young Warriors' level where you set time frames for the players to graduate into the Warriors.
Zimbabwean teams always do well to reach the finals of the Cosafa junior championships but after Under-23 they are always disbanded, I don't know why?
How have you as Dynamos players responded to the challenges of defending the Premiership title and playing on the continent?
The club has done well to acquire more players and I think there is enough cover so that if other players burn out or sustain injuries the depth will be there.
What do you think needs to be done when you travel to Tunisia for the return leg?
We really have to prepare very hard because the Tunisians use their home advantage very well but I think we have seen them now and we can plan for the game with the knowledge of how they play.
I must also say they are not a hard team to beat because we have seen their weaknesses and their strengths.
Have you thought about the possibility of the Confederation Cup should you lose to Etoile Du Sahel?
No, at the moment we are just looking at the game in hand. We have to finish the job first and see how it goes from there. We believe we can bring in a good result from there.
But are there any teams in the Premiership that you believe could possibly pose a threat to your bid to retain the championship?
It is really to early to tell but Highlanders, CAPS United, Motor Action and even pacesetters Kiglon are looking good but I don't see anyone taking it from us because we have a big squad and so many good players.
It will be so difficult to beat us for the championship.
Copyright (C) 2008 All Africa Global Media. All rights reserved
News Provided by COMTEX
Harare, May 01, 2008 (The Herald/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --
JUST when many people thought he would throw in the towel and hang up his boots after being weighed down by a spate of injuries that followed a horrific knee injury he suffered in 2000, veteran Dynamos midfielder Desmond Maringwa has defied all odds and soldiered on.
Only last Sunday, Maringwa turned back the hands of time to the days when he was a raw teenager, when he illuminated Gwanzura with a vintage midfield show that inspired Dynamos to a crucial 1-0 victory over African Champions Etoile Sportive Du Sahel.
The 29-year-old Maringwa, who shrugged off injuries in the second half of last season to help Dynamos win a rare league and cup double, this week spoke about his time at DeMbare, the only club he has played for in his long career.
How does it feel having completed a remarkable recovery to play a part in Dynamos' league and cup double success last season?
Well! It really felt great to be part of the Dynamos team that won the league championship after 10 years.
To me it meant a lot because I was also in the team that had last won it in 1997. After the terrible injury, I spent three years without playing but I kept on praying to God and I said Lord please give me another chance to play and I thank the Lord for affording me that opportunity again.
What would you say was the turning point of your career after you had fully recovered and resumed playing?
I was really dogged by more injuries when I came back, maybe I had not fully recovered when I resumed playing because there was no balance in the muscle bulk of my legs.
The one that got injured (left knee) was a bit weak and even up to now it has changed the way I walk or run.
At times when people see me limp it is not that I would be in pain now but unfortunately I now run and walk with a limp as a result of that injury but I have fully recovered.
I think the turning point was in August last year after I had had a slow start to the season due to a quad muscle problem, which kept me out for another two months. I had played in the first six weeks of the season. When I came back in August there was no looking back and I was happy to play in the league and cup matches but I have had consultations with my doctor and I still have to go to South Africa for a review when we return from Tunisia.
Many players in your predicament would have long decided to hang up their boots, so what is it that drives you?
It is the passion, the commitment and the love that you have for whatever you want to do in life, no matter how hard it is.
I took it as a challenge so if you do not meet challenges in life you will not achieve your goals.
What happened to me really made me stronger as an individual.
But what is the secret behind your decision to stick with Dynamos in good and bad times?
It is really very funny because I grew up supporting CAPS United, I was so fanatic about them and I would cry if they lost. But it changed some time when I was still at school and I was amazed by Dynamos' huge following and I felt it would be nice if I played for all those supporters and that swayed my decision to go and train with the Dynamos Under-13 team.
From then on I decided that I would stick with this team but nobody knows what the future holds maybe I will leave Dynamos one day but they will always be my home.
You graduated from the Dynamos juniors; do you sometimes feel frustrated when you do not see a lot of the young players coming from the system?
It is really disturbing because there are so many great players who came from the junior system at Dynamos. I think it is only the system that needs to be corrected and I am sure that is addressed because we now have Elvis Chiweshe, who is fully in charge and has a couple of coaches working with him.
Hopefully it will produce results and we will see more players coming from there.
You have been rewarded with the vice-captaincy of the team, is this something that you expected given your long service to the club?
It is really not an issue to me because there was a time when I was offered the captaincy and I declined because I thought they needed to bring in somebody younger to carry the team and I would only come in to help as a senior player. In fact, because of my experience and the fact that I am always helping the other players I have always regarded myself as one of the team's captains.
One might say it has to do with my long service to but I think because of my on and off situation through injuries it would have been tough for the coaches to make me captain because they would have to debate whether I would always be there as captain.
So what are some of the highlights of your long career with Dynamos?
The time that we played in the Champions League final in 1998. It really gave me a feeling of what football is like and the time I played in the Warriors showed me what football entails.
Because I was playing in a team with a lot of senior and experienced players... Murape Murape and myself were the only juniors then, it made me grow up faster in the game because I learnt a lot from all those seniors.
How did it feel scoring that important winner against Etoile Du Sahel at Gwanzura?
It was great. I don't score that many goals but all the time it is all about the team because the result is what is important for me. It is not much of an issue who scores, what satisfies me is whether we would have played well as a team and done the right thing.
So how has been the reception from the club's fans after that goal?
They are really excited about it and have been congratulating me but again I tell them that it is all about the team because Rueben (Mhlanga) sent in a good cross from the left too. But it is still very tough for us because in Africa you have to concentrate highly for 90 minutes.
Having been part of the 1998 and 1999 squads that reached the mini-league, how long do you think it will take Dynamos to build such a formidable side?
It really takes courage and mental strength on the part of the players. Teamwork and team spirit also play a hand. In 1998 and 1999, we had so many experienced players some of whom knew that it was their only chance for success because they nearing the end of their careers. We had players in the 29-31 age group.
The current squad has youngsters but this is also a chance for them to market themselves and I think this can be to our advantage because they were really itching to play Etoile and test themselves against the big guys.
Right now they are all anxious to experience and feel what it is like to play a team like Etoile away from home and we are trying to bring in that experience and team spirit we had in 1998 and I am sure with that we can build another formidable side.
You have also been recalled to the Warriors, eight years on, what do you make of it?
It is a great honour and I give thanks to the coaches who have selected me and I will give my 200 percent effort whether it is for my club or my country.
If given a chance I will try to prove that I still have something to offer to the nation and I am itching to prove that I am up to it.
What lessons do you think some of the younger players can draw from your experience?
First and foremost, it is commitment. They have to have commitment and discipline. They also need to learn as much as they can about football because football takes you so much effort to reach the top but it takes you just a minute or two to relax and fall from grace.
So the youngsters need to have consistency and ask from the seniors who have been there already, it does not necessarily have to be seniors from their own clubs.
Having played in the Premiership for over a decade what do you think of the standard of the local game... is it improving?
I think firstly it has to do with the current economic situation but the kind of grounds we have in the country are not conducive for good football. They are so terrible and bumpy you can't really control the ball they way you want to. Of course, people might think it is the players but we need to improve the standards of the pitches first and the good players we have will show their game.
Shooting Stars, CAPS United, Highlanders, CAPS FC are all playing good football but if the pitches do not improve the standard will not come out well.
Although I cannot say the standard is improving I think it is still okay and considering that even as Dynamos we have done fairly well so far in Africa and that shows we are not too bad as a Premiership. I also believe if clubs are really sponsored well they will become motivated and players will give it their best, the players need to be provided with better training equipment too.
What, in your view, needs to be done to ensure the Young Warriors are as strong as your generation that would produce players who graduated into the senior team?
I think we must have continuity from the Under-17 right through to the top. Once you identify talent you must continue to build on the teams so that the national coach does not have a big problem assembling a team.
We should not be learning the basics at the senior team. This should be done at Young Warriors' level where you set time frames for the players to graduate into the Warriors.
Zimbabwean teams always do well to reach the finals of the Cosafa junior championships but after Under-23 they are always disbanded, I don't know why?
How have you as Dynamos players responded to the challenges of defending the Premiership title and playing on the continent?
The club has done well to acquire more players and I think there is enough cover so that if other players burn out or sustain injuries the depth will be there.
What do you think needs to be done when you travel to Tunisia for the return leg?
We really have to prepare very hard because the Tunisians use their home advantage very well but I think we have seen them now and we can plan for the game with the knowledge of how they play.
I must also say they are not a hard team to beat because we have seen their weaknesses and their strengths.
Have you thought about the possibility of the Confederation Cup should you lose to Etoile Du Sahel?
No, at the moment we are just looking at the game in hand. We have to finish the job first and see how it goes from there. We believe we can bring in a good result from there.
But are there any teams in the Premiership that you believe could possibly pose a threat to your bid to retain the championship?
It is really to early to tell but Highlanders, CAPS United, Motor Action and even pacesetters Kiglon are looking good but I don't see anyone taking it from us because we have a big squad and so many good players.
It will be so difficult to beat us for the championship.
Copyright (C) 2008 All Africa Global Media. All rights reserved
News Provided by COMTEX
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