Zimbabwe's own Jomo Sono

While his playing career may not have been as decorated as the man christened the "Black Prince of South African football", Ephraim "Jomo" Sono, Zimbabwean football might have its own version of the former Orlando Pirates and New York Cosmos star in none other than Methembe Ndlovu.

Ndlovu is in charge of Bantu Rovers, the Premier Soccer League returnees enjoying another dance with the elite league after two years in Division One.

What do the two gentlemen that hail from two countries that are divided by the Limpopo River have in common?

Both are presidents of their respective clubs and instead of hiring coaches to lead their teams' technical departments, opted to take matters into their own hands and bark instructions to players from the touchline.

In South Africa, be it playing in the lower division, owing to his side's countless flirtations with relegation or rubbing shoulders with the best of the Absa Premiership, Sono doesn't believe in hiring a coach for his club Jomo Cosmos.

Back at home Ndlovu last week announced that he was taking over as Bantu Rovers substantive coach.

Prior to the appointment of Ndlovu, the club had interviewed two candidates for the post of head coach to take over from Agent Sawu who was barred by Zifa from assuming the role for not possessing the required Caf A Licence.

"It's not to say we don't have enough qualified coaches in the country but we didn't find the right man who understands what we are trying to achieve at Bantu Rovers.

"Player development is our core business so we wanted a coach who understood that getting results and nurturing talent are not mutually exclusive but the two can work hand in hand," said Ndlovu.

Across the Limpopo, Sono caused a stir on Twitter last year when he was spotted driving the team bus into Lucas Moripe Stadium.

While some people found the pictures amusing, others lampooned the former Orlando Pirates player for being stingy, adding that he would ruin his legendary status.

Ndlovu acknowledges that doubling up as coach and club president will be a mammoth task.

Bus driving duties will be left for somebody else at Bantu Rovers.

"There are going to be some challenges because of my busy schedule but I now have a responsibility to take the team forward," he said.

Most of the administrative work will be left in the capable hands of general manager Wilbert Sibanda whose immediate task is to interview candidates for the position of assistant coach.

Former Warriors hitman Sawu has been assigned to manage the team.