Saul Chaminuka
Noel Munzabwa in Mbabane, Swaziland
WARRIORS’ assistant coach Saul Chaminuka marked his arrival in Swaziland’s domestic football with a charming 2-0 win in the National First Division on Friday night.
Chaminuka’s new side Matsapha United dismissed Madlenya to pick their first win of the season at Mavuso Sports Centre.
Central defender Sabelo Gamedze and striker Sidumo Shongwe scored on either side of the break to secure maximum points for Matsapha United.
“It was not the best of the games, but sometimes you need to win. There are times when you need to think about the result, the destination and not the journey. I think when I look at the game, this is what I’ll see, but again I also think it was the starting point, the first step. Now the real journey begins,” said Chaminuka.
It was also a weekend of mixed fortunes for three Zimbabwe-born coaches. Julius Chakupewa’s Manzini Wanderers beat returnees Moneni Pirates 2-0, while Manzini Sundowns, who are coached by Godfrey Tamirepi, notched a 1-1 draw with Sea Birds.
“It hasn’t been easy but grinding results under difficult conditions will always be sweet. Now that we’ve picked up a win on the opening weekend, something Wanderers haven’t known for the past three seasons, we should not sit on our laurels, but focus and believe in ourselves,” said Chakupewa.
Only two Zimbabwean players, Paida Dube of Manzini Sundowns and Tawana Chikore of Manzini Wanderers, featured in this weekend’s league matches.
They both lasted 90 minutes, while Green Mambas’ Blessing Sande, Talent Maphosa of Mbabane Swallows and Wanderers’ Tafadzwa Jaravani sat it out on the substitutes’ bench. — @NoelMunzabwa