The master and student: Mhofu vs Bambo

By Takudzwa Chitsiga

It will be a battle of wits of Dynamos legends when veteran coach Sunday “Mhofu’’ Chidzambwa comes face to with one of his former players, Moses “Bambo’’ Chunga, in a Castle Lager Premiership clash between ZPC Kariba and Harare City at Nyamhunga this afternoon.

Chidzambwa, the most successful coach in domestic football having won eight league championships with Dynamos, guided the Warriors to their maiden African Cup of Nations appearance and secured two COSAFA Cup titles with the senior team is now in charge of ZPC Kariba.

The veteran gaffer also coached Chunga, arguably the greatest player to emerge at DeMbare, before later roping him in as one of his assistants. Chunga is now back in the trenches having taken over from Taurai Mangwiro as the Harare City mentor.

But the pair has rarely clashed in coaching duties on the domestic front with Chidzambwa having either been involved with the national team, coaching outside the country or inactive during the period when Chunga was taking charge of such teams like Shabanie Mine, Shooting Stars, Gunners, Dynamos and Buffaloes.

Just four days ago, Chidzambwa was in Mhondoro for yet another face off against one of his many former Dynamos protégés, Tonderai Ndiraya, but the veteran coach saw his electricity men come out second best following a 1-0 defeat by Ngezi Platinum.

But it is the showdown between Chidzambwa and Chunga as they bark instructions from the touchline today that has given greater significance than just a fight for points to the battle pitting ZPC Kariba against Harare City.

Chidzambwa, however, played down talk of the focus being put more on Chunga and him, insisting “it is just like any other league match that our teams have to play”.

“I think this is a normal game and there is no much different from any other Premier League matches. I don’t believe in saying it is a Chidzambwa versus Chunga affair yes I will be on the ZPC Kariba bench and he will be on Harare City bench so it will be a game each coach would like to win.

“There will be no hard feelings as we are all doing our duties and I hope the better side will win.

“The encounter will be difficult, but I don’t think there is nothing much outside that it is a Premier League match,” said Chidzambwa.

The former national team coach said they are geared up for the Sunshine Boys’ visit and have been working hard on their past mistakes.

ZPC Kariba and Harare City have struggled for points in their last three league assignments.

The sides are under the guidance of respected coaches in Sunday Chidzambwa and Moses Chunga, but they were seeing results hard to come by in their last three encounters. Chidzambwa said he is expecting a tough encounter as Harare City have been dominating his side in their past meetings, but believes he is prepared for the game this time around.

“Preparations are going on well since our last game and everyone is looking forward to the next assignment, which is against Harare City.

“We have no much complaints as the players are ready and those who have knocks we will assess them to see if they can make it. Harare City is a good side that have managed to beat us in our last two meetings, but I think that can change in this game.

“We have been unlucky, but I believe we will manage to do well at home. The team has quality players and they are in the same competitive league so we will not give them too much room,” said Chidzambwa.

Harare City are also blowing hot and cold ever since Chunga took over as he won the first two games and went on to lose the same number of games before scrapping a hard fought 0-0 draw against How Mine.

The Sunshine Boys assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku believes they still have a chance to prove that they can stand up to the occasion.

“We prepared well for this game and we hope to come out with a good result despite playing away from home.

“We have been working hard with the strikers as it is one area we are lacking a lot and I believe we can now manage to find the back of the net.

“ZPC Kariba is a good side, but we have worked hard preparing for them and by losing two and losing two in a row is something which we all expect in football and I think it is going to change this time around,” said Masuku.

The two sides have lost two key players since the transfer window opened.

ZPC Kariba have parted ways with midfielder Wisdom Mutasa who has since linked up with his father Lloyd at Dynamos while the Sunshine Boys have lost defender Blessing Moyo who officially joined South African side Maritzburg United yesterday. The Herald