By Langton Nyakwenda
MARK HARRISON wanted the Dynamos job when record smashing mentor Kallisto Pasuwa quit the champions at the end of last season.
The much-travelled English gaffer sent DeMbare a detailed proposal through his agent before also sounding out Highlanders who were seeking Kelvin Kaindu’s replacement.
Harrison later got in touch with Twine Phiri and the Caps United boss’ vision for Makepekepe charmed him.
The 54-year-old gaffer revealed this in a wide ranging interview at his Borrowdale lodgings in Harare last week.
Speaking ahead of his side’s clash against bottom placed and winless Dongo Sawmills this afternoon, Harrison poured his heart out. “The situation has absorbed Twine, he has lost sight and he needs assistance,” said the Englishman.
As optimistic as he has been since his first meeting with Phiri in Johannesburg, South Africa last December, Harrison hopes Makepekepe will turn the corner soon. Reports claim that Phiri and co-owner Farai Jere have struck a deal meant to save the club from collapse.
“Before I settled for Caps, I had made enquiries with Dynamos, through my agent round about November last year, when Kallisto resigned. I sent them a proposal and I also spoke to Highlanders officials (on) the phone but nothing materialised.
“I was coaching in South Africa at Black Leopards where they have nice facilities and good remuneration packages but I had this desire for a greater African challenge; I believed I could get that challenge in Zimbabwe.
“So when Twine flew to Johannesburg for our meeting, I was easily taken by his vision for Caps United. I fell in love with his grand plan,” said the nomadic coach.
However, Phiri and Harrison’s union is rocky as the coach has gone two months without a salary.
A few days ago Harrison and his wife of 31 years, Julie, were nearly thrown out of the Borrowdale house due to rental arrears.
The adverse environment at Makepekepe has also taken its toll on players who are owed salaries, bonuses and signing-on fees.
Striker Roderick Mutuma, defender Stephen Makatuka and utility man Dominic Mukandi are reported to have quit the club and Harrison feels worse is to come “if Phiri does not move to avert the crisis”.
Caps United have not won in their last three encounters — neither have they scored — and last weekend they travelled in batches, arriving late in Mutare before drawing 0-0 with Buffaloes.
“I am operating on an island, on my own with the players. We come out to train, play and return to that island where there is no support. I can no longer continue to carry the cross on my won” said Harrison. Julie is also fed up and said “a decision has to be made soon because we have a 24-year-old daughter in a European university who needs fees”.
“Remember we do not have friends or family here to turn to. I am afraid, we are reaching a point where a decision has to be made,” she said.
Harrison’s straight talking has often landed him in trouble with his bosses and club chief executive officer Joe Makuvire recently came out in the Press firing a direct salvo at the coach.
“If the coach feels that issues should be addressed via the newspaper then that is most unfortunate. We have made it clear that whoever is not with us in this should feel free to go,” Makuvire was quoted saying.
Harrison says some football administrators are not used to frank talk.
“My biggest downfall in African football will probably be my honesty. I come from a culture where we talk straight into each others’ faces but some of the club owners in Africa do not like that.
“All I want is progress for the team and I have Caps United in my heart 1 000 percent. However, I will not be subservient, neither will I lie down and be apologetic. Sometimes it is not about money but the truth,” he roared.
He continued: “That is why I get agitated and sometimes I end up saying things rashly because of anger but my wife Julie knows that and she tries to cool me off when I come home from work.
“It is unfair criticism for people to say these players do not care about the club, or say these coaches are not committed.
“Hang on and relax because we are more committed than most of you. I don’t want to leave Caps United and I don’t want to leave Zimbabwe either. I have made a commitment to the country but if one is forced into a corner then one has got to make tough decisions and consider other options.”
Harrison has been linked with a move to ZPC Kariba.
“That is all talk. Remember I said I did not come here for big money, it was purely out of passion. In fact, I knew of the financial situation at Caps beforehand but the desire to achieve something big with an African team before I retire pushed me.
“It was also part of the initial arrangement that I would use my vast international links to facilitate foreign moves for Caps players and help finance the club and my upkeep,” he responded.
Harrison was behind Ronald Pfumbidzai’s trial stint at Kaizer Chiefs in January, thanks to his close ties with Amakhosi gaffer Stuart Baxter.
The Englishman is also on talking terms with Arsene Wenger’s assistant at Arsenal, Steve Bould, and wants Caps United to benefit from these links.
“The plan I had with Baxter was that Chiefs and Caps would form a partnership, engage in exchange programs for coaches and players but that cannot happen in this situation.
“I speak to the Arsenal assistant coach regularly, he was my teammate at Stoke City in the ‘80s and we have been buddies since we were around 20,” said Harrison, a holder of a Uefa A coaching license.
Harrison was there when then English Championship side Oxford United faced a cash crunch in the ‘90s, and it is deja vu at Caps United.
“I was in this situation at Oxford; they were a Championship side in 1999 when they went into administration. We ended up selling the best players just to meet the financial demands and got relegated.
“If you don’t avert the situation quickly that is what usually happens and you do not want it to happen to a big brand like Caps United,” he warned.
Harrison also quashed reports that goalkeepers’ trainer Brenna Msiska and assistant coach Fungai Kwashi are disgruntled by his appointment of former Bosso coach Mark Mathe as an assistant coach.
“That is nonsense. People have got to give Brenna and Fungai some sort of respect. They are always there at the training ground, sometimes using their own resources and that should tell you a story.
“Nonetheless, I like honesty, and if there are people who become dishonest in the setup I will not want them anywhere near,” threatened Harrison. The Sunday Mail
