Gidiza coached side gets promotion to Division 2

FORMER nation team midfielder Ronald 'Gidiza' Sibanda has kicked off his soccer coaching career by guiding Lobengula Stars into the Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Division Two League.

Lobengula Stars finished second on the Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Division Three Soccer League with 68 points, six points behind champions ZRP Ntabazinduna.

The ex-Zimbabwe Saints, AmaZulu and Dynamos midfield genius who is a holder of a Zisca Level Two coaching certificate saw his side beating New Lobengula Rovers 1-0 to earn the second promotional spot ahead of BCC Golden Stars Rovers 1-0 to earn the second promotional spot ahead of the local authority side.

Mthokozisi Luphahla, young brother to ex-Zimbabwe international and Highlanders winger Joel Luphahla scored the solitary goal for Sibanda's team.

In an interview yesterday, Sibanda thanked his friends Chipo Tsodzo and Dazzy Kapenya for helping him out during some training sessions.

"Lobengula Stars were formed at the beginning of the year and my desire is to continue with this project as I learn the ropes in coaching. There is no need to rush as I want to take to the biggest stage having accomplished something at junior development.

"There are many people that have been helpful to the success of Lobengula Stars with Dazzy helping with coaching the defence line while Chipo helped with the strikers. As the head coach, I worked with the midfielders and the overall team during match days," said Sibanda.

At Lobengula Stars, Sibanda was being assisted by John Siziba.

The celebrated midfield maestro said the project was part of his way of paying back to the community that nurtured him and made him a star.

Gidiza as he is affectionately known, dreams of producing another star who will be better than him.

"The truth of the matter is that there are a number of talented youngsters out there who can make it great once they are coached well. I believe that there is another Gidiza out there, or someone even better than me and I will be proud if I manage to produce that kind of a player.

"It is my hope that the multitude of Zimbabweans who supported me as a player will continue doing so and these young boys during my new found career," Sibanda said.

His brother and former Zimbabwe Saints gaffer Bongani Mafu who is based in the UK has sourced training equipment and kit while local businessman Honest 'Whatever Promotions' Sibanda has also chipped in financially.

Gidiza is aware that life in Division Two Soccer League will not be easy but is confident that his boys will hold their own.
He challenged other former players to take up junior development so that they produce future stars.

"There is no short cut in life. One has to start by crawling, take baby steps, then start walking properly as they grow. This is my philosophy and I wish some of my peers can understand that. We cannot all start by coaching at the highest level without passing through grassroots level. There are a number of youngsters that can do with our inspiration and become great footballers.

"I am urging my colleagues to spare a thought about playing a part in identifying and nurturing of talent because we were also identified by other people. Now this is the time to give back to the community and help others," he said.

His wish is to see at least three of his products playing in the topflight league after two seasons.

He said most of his players are Forms Three and Four with an average age of 17 years.

Mthokozisi is one of the few 23-year-old players in his squad.