Mapeza speaks about his future

Former national team and Monomotapa coach, Norman Mapeza (NM), has kept a low profile after news that he was banned from football for six months.

Most of his fans in Zimbabwe, some of them who once sang "Mapeza Dzoka" when Rahman Gumbo was struggling with the Warriors, are still waiting to know what will be. Grace Chirumanzu (GC) sat down with the former Warriors midfielder to discuss his past, present and the future. Excerpts:

GC: You were one of the people implicated in the Asiagate match-fixing scandal; found innocent but received a six month ban. How has been the experience of accepting the fact that you were being forbidden from the game you love and the profession you have known all your life?

NM: Let me tell you something Grace, I think Zifa has been very unfair on my part.

I was never clear about the issue of the Asiagate ban. All I know is that I learnt about it through the media, there was no formal communication from Zifa whatsoever, to let me know that I was banned and the reasons why.

I was never called to tell my side of the story. Under any normal circumstances, a person is called for a disciplinary hearing before being suspended but that was never the case with me. I was informed through the media and I have since not received any communication from the football mother body to say the ban is over. I understand Methembe Ndlovu got a letter from them saying his two-year ban was over. Everything that happened is something that would not be done by people with common sense.

GC: But what role did you take in what became known as the Asiagate scandal?

NM: I have never participated in match-fixing and never in my life time will I be involved. To be honest with you, I have always thought to myself that I was actually punished for refusing to sell-out my country. I have never been to Asia with the national team, I only led them to the Cecafa tournament and while I was there, I was approached by two men who asked me if I knew anything about betting, when I said no and showed no interest in knowing, they walked away. It only came back to me that maybe that (match-fixing) is what could have happened when I started seeing reports here.

The performance of the players could have been suspicious, but as a professional coach, I could not criticise my players in the media. Even if anyone is to suggest that I could have reported; reported what to who when there was no evidence of anything.

But what was unfair on the whole issue was the way it was handled. Players who admitted to them (Zifa) that they received some money and took part in match fixing were given lighter penalties while others were exonerated.

It then appears to me that the whole issue was handled in a way meant to target certain individuals.

GC: You have done well as a player and you gained most fans' respect as a coach by leading Monomotapa to their maiden Premier League Championship title in 2008. You did not enjoy good relations with Zifa when you were the Warriors' coach, at one time being suspended and before the six-month Asiagate ban. Do you feel you have not been well appreciated?

NM: Yes, it is a pity to even think that there are actually some people who wish to achieve what I have achieved, but that is part of life. The past two years have been torture for me, but it has been a wake-up call and I have learnt that in life you cannot trust anyone.

GC: Enough of Asiagate, which is in the past anyway. How soon are we going to see you back in football?

NM: Football is part of my life and will always be till I die. I would coach any team that will approach me. But right now I cannot engage in any contract with any team because I still have a contract with Zifa that expires in March. I have honoured that contract but Zifa has not. I have not been paid anything and I am working with my lawyers to get Zifa to pay me my salaries together with my full benefits. Playing in Europe has taught me something important about honouring contracts. I have all the documents that I signed with Zifa and even if it will take me ages to get my money, I am prepared for that. I will engage Fifa if I have to.

Do not get me wrong, I have nothing against Zifa and I am not fighting anyone. I am just fighting for what belongs to me.

GC: Ian Gorowa has not signed any contract with Zifa yet and your contract has not been terminated. Do you consider yourself the Warriors coach?

NM: You know what? I am done!

GC: Can you help me understand why?

NM: I will not be national team coach under the current (Zifa) board. They are acting like fugitives on the issue of my payments, but they can run but never can they hide.

I just wish for a Zifa made up of people with football at heart, people who want to develop football and those who are open-minded. Football is all about sharing ideas and we need people who are willing to listen to other people's ideas.

GC: What are your plans for the future?

NM: Once my contract with Zifa expires I will be ready to coach any team. People do not seem to understand me; they think I am a difficult person. (Smiles) I am just someone who values discussing things and putting it on paper.

So, if anyone is to call me, I assume it would be about making an appointment not to talk about offering me a job over the phone.

GC: What would be your advice to young Zimbabwean footballers, especially those who are playing in lucrative leagues around the globe?

NM: There have to know about one thing called life after football, that thing is very dangerous if not properly planned for. Players need to prepare for it.

At one stage, one would be driving an X5, the next thing it will be moving on a biscuit (small spare wheel) and then it is sold. My point is that players need to invest with the money they earn while they are still playing and cushion themselves for a good life after football.

It is better to live an ordinary life and have people wonder why their lives are flashy but knowing that they are planning their future.