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Chawanda keen to assist Zimbabwe for 2010 |
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14 April 2007 By Collin Matiza He felt that Zimbabwe were lagging behind in their preparations for the 2010 World Cup and he called upon all the stakeholders of local football to get together "and start the ball rolling" if the country was to benefit from the event in three years' time. "I am prepared to work with the local authorities, who are involved in the preparations for the 2010 World Cup, in any capacity. "I can sense that not a lot is being done in terms of us preparing fully to play a part in the hosting of the World Cup by South Africa. "We need to be serious in our approach to everything regarding the 2010 World Cup be it from preparing and assembling a strong team for the tournament to the hosting of teams who will be on their way to South Africa," Chawanda said. He also did not rule out being part of the Warriors technical department during the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup. "Of course, coaching (the Warriors) will be fun and I think I also have a big role to play in preparing the team for the next World Cup. "In fact, I've never turned my back on Zimbabwe since I left the country for South Africa in 1995," said Chawanda, a holder of a B Coaching Licence from Germany. Chawanda, a pillar of strength during German coach Reinhard Fabisch's "Dream Team" era in the early 1990s, said he was currently not coaching in South Africa but he still has an interest in the game. "I used to involved in the management of my former club FC Sporting until I recently moved into transport and construction business. "But I still have a passion for football and I always follow the results of both the Warriors and the domestic soccer scene in Zimbabwe with great interest," Chawanda said. Popularly known as the "Rock of Gibraltar" during his heydays, Chawanda made a name for himself while playing for local "fallen giants" Zimbabwe Saints in the 1980s. The highest moment of his career came at the end of the 1988 season when he was crowned as the country's Soccer Star of the Year and walked away with $1 000 in prize money. In January 1990, Chawanda left Saints to join German Third Division side Bonner SC with fellow former "Chikwata" player Henry "Bully" McKop. They were each transferred to Bonner by Saints for $20 000. Chawanda's stay in Germany also helped him to captain Fabisch's "Dream Team" in which he rubbed shoulders with other talented players such as Peter and Adam Ndlovu, the late Mercedes "Rambo" Sibanda, Agent "Ajira" Sawu, John Phiri, Francis Shonhayi (late), McKop, Norman Mapeza, Melusi Nkiwane (late), Bruce Grobbelaar, Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo and Vitalis "Digital" Takawira. Chawanda stayed in Germany for four years before returning home to rejoin Zimbabwe Saints. But he quickly packed his bags and headed for South Africa to join that country's football giants Orlando Pirates in July 1995. He stayed at Pirates for a year before joining another South African Premiership side Moroka Swallows in 1996, the year he finally hung up his boots. Chawanda later turned his hand into coaching and was first engaged as a coach by the now-defunct local Premier Soccer League side Mutare United in February 1997. He did not stay long at Mutare United, leaving the club top join South African lower division side FC Sporting in July 2002. Chawanda joined FC Sporting when they were in the Vodacom Second Division and helped them to gain promotion into the Mvela League, which is one rung behind the South African Premier Soccer League, the same season. He later moved into the team's management committee until last year. Chawanda is now looking at coming back home and help Zimbabwe in the tough task of preparing for the 2010 World Cup. Do you have a story? Then e-mail news@nehandaradio.com . If its a good one you might earn yourself money for the effort. For general comments and feedback e-mail: editor@nehandaradio.com
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