Mugove Chigada
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR Scottland, the journey effectively starts tonight – a glitzy function to unveil this season’s kit, the new players who joined them and a stage to make statements about the mission to defend the championship.
They have chosen Harare Sports Club, the home of the Chevrons, for their function tonight.
Whether it’s just a coincidence, or a statement that they want to touch the same heights which the Chevrons have scaled, we will never know.
But, all the same, it’s a good place to be and, having won the championship in their first attempt last season, they can say they deserve to be at the home of the champions.
So much has changed since that triumph.
They now have Norman Mapeza and Peter Ndlovu, two of the greatest names in local football, on their roaster.
When Mapeza walked into Scottland last month, it was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the transfer window dealings – one of the most decorated coaches joining the most ambitious club in the top-flight.
The unveiling by the club’s benefactor Wicknell Chivayo broke the internet.
Mapeza was not only walking into a club with ambition but was reuniting with his past – many of the players that he had either coached in Warriors colours or at FC Platinum.
In an exclusive interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday, he opened up on his reunion with Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, King Peter and other players from his past.
“It was good to meet him (Knowledge Musona) again,” said Mapeza.
“He remains the same Knowledge, hardworking and respectful. He remains a great player.
“Now, the likes of Chakuchichi (Tadiwa) and Mafious (Chihweta) have a lot to learn from him… And it’s not only Musona but Khama (Billiat) as well.”
Mapeza has also reunited with Godknows Murwira, Peter Mudhuwa, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Walter Musona and Kevin Moyo.
“At least they know me personally. And from what I have seen, they are working very hard,” said Mapeza.
“They generally know what to expect, and we covered a lot of ground from the recent pre-season that we had. That includes the whole team.”
And, then, there is King Peter.
“Over the years, we have kept in touch… We have been catching up and he is a brilliant character.
“He has been working hard in the past weeks to try and help us grow, trying to make sure that we achieve something,” Mapeza said.
On Sunday Mapeza will be in charge of his first local official match with Scottland at Rufaro when they face Chibuku Super Cup champions Dynamos in a Castle Lager Challenge match.
It is a battle not for the faint-hearted.
Dynamos, now under Genesis Mangombe, have been on a rebuilding exercise, with many of the key players who helped them survive relegation having left.
The loss in a charity match last week to Highlanders was hard to swallow and now they must make amends.
Mangombe, a former Scottland coach himself, said it’s a game they can’t afford to lose.
“We just have to play and win,” he said. “We have been preparing accordingly, but at the end of the day, there will be one winner.”
