'A higher power is at play'

SHADRECK MLAUZI'S rise from relative obscurity to the national football limelight is the stuff that miracles are made of.

His success with the Mighty Warriors over the past six months has the nation spellbound and the continent shaking at the sight of Zimbabwe transforming into a women's football powerhouse.

Under Mlauzi's guidance, the Mighty Warriors booked a historic ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and secured a fourth Africa Women's Cup of Nations dance, all in the space of six months.

Mlauzi was a high school coach when he took over from Rosemary Mugadza in September last year and everything he has touched has turned into gold.

The 35-year-old gaffer believes a higher power is at play.

"This is not just luck, things do not just happen," he said. "There is a cause, there is a reason and I believe there is God above who takes care of his children."

The Mighty Warriors gaffer is highly spiritual and makes it a point to wear his Roman Catholic rosary wherever he goes.

"It (rosary) is a prayer on its own, when we go into matches, I carry it. It has become part and parcel of me. It is my protector, I have realised we need divine guidance to succeed in sport," he explained.

Mlauzi, who is studying for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Sport, majoring in Sport Science, revealed that the first thing he noticed when he took over the hot seat was that his players' suffered from a "mental block".

"It's all in the mind, I always talk of mental strength and I am glad my girls have developed rapidly in that area," he said. "Sports science has played a major role in the transformation of the Mighty Warriors.

"These days particular attention is given to such issues as the work/rest ratio, recovery times, laws of conditioning and the like. Methods of training have changed, there is more emphasis on the player's mind…sports psychology.

"In the past you would see the players lacked self belief and would crumble on the big stage. To remove that we had to work on the mind, you remove those mental blocks through sports psychology.

"That is why today the Mighty Warriors can easily beat Zambia, that is why we are capable of knocking out giants like Cameroon," said Mlauzi.Mlauzi said he could have been a professional footballer had it not been for his parents' belief that academics were more important than sports.

"I could not continue with soccer, education was the emphasis in our family. However, I could not completely detach myself from the sport because when I enrolled at Hillside Teachers' College, my major line of study was Physical Education."Besides, being a teacher I have this intrinsic desire to impart knowledge, I derive so much satisfaction when my students understand my line of thinking. It is pleasing that the Mighty Warriors have embraced my ideas. Together we can go far," said Mlauzi.

In his hour of glory, the Sikhulile High School teacher heaped praise on Warriors legend Agent "Ajira" Sawu.

Before his Mighty Warriors appointment, Mlauzi was assistant to Sawu at Southern Region Division One side Ntabazinduna.

"I learnt a lot from the great Ajira, being a player that played in Europe and the Warriors he had a lot to impart. It was through Sawu that I learnt how to prepare for big matches especially the psyching up part.

"I was also assistant to Langton Giwa in the national Under 20 women's team that won gold at the 2002 Region Five games held in Swaziland and all that helped me to be the man I am today."

And after successfully leading the Mighty Warriors to the top table, Mlauzi is ready to have a go at acquiring a driver's licence.

"I think now I can go for driving lessons and get a license. I also need to finish the research project for my Sports Science degree research project."I also have to advance my coaching qualifications, upgrade from my current CAF C Licence…So I guess, there is no time to rest."