Tendai Chikuni
Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
GWERU-based PSL side Chapungu is set to unveil ex-Shabanie Mine coach Tendai Chikuni as its head coach at Thornhill Airbase today.
Chikuni is said to have shrugged off stiff competition from former Hardbody coach Tavaka Gumbo and former Flame Lily coach Nesbert Saruchera, who had been shortlisted for the top post.
Chapungu chairman Fungai Makuyana said the coach is expected to pen a three-year contract.
“We are going to unveil our new coach tomorrow (today) and indications are that we will appoint Tendai Chikuni as the new coach.
‘‘We will officially unveil him to players and our stakeholders when he agrees to a three-year contract, which we are tabling with other conditions,” said Makuyana.
“Chikuni can take over the job if both parties agree on terms, otherwise I can safely say that we have almost sealed the deal.”
Chikuni will take over from John Nyikadzino, who quit at the end of the 2016 season after failing to meet his paymasters’ target of a top eight finish.
Chapungu finished in 13th place with 32 points.
Chikuni has over a decade of coaching experience. He recently guided Shabanie Mine to the Zifa Central Soccer League championship after taking over the reins in the 2015 mid-season.
Chikuni’s beacon began to shine in 2007 as assistant coach at Botswana topflight outfit Township Rollers before he left for Mochudi Centre Chiefs in 2010 as Rahman Gumbo’s assistant.
The duo packed their bags and left Botswana the following year after being lured by FC Platinum and they led the PSL newcomers to second behind Dynamos and a place in the Caf Champions League in 2012.
Gumbo was relieved of his duties midway through the 2012 season and Chikuni was given the reins as caretaker coach, and led the Zvishavane side to a top eight finish.
He also led FC Platinum to the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup before being knocked out by Monomotapa.
The gaffer reverted to his position of assistant coach following the appointment of Zambian Tenant Chilumba in 2013.
Chilumba was to leave the platinum miners midway through the season, which again saw Chikuni taking the reins in an acting capacity before Lloyd Mutasa took over in 2014.
He then headed the club’s junior policy development until the expiry of his contract at the end of that year and joined Shabanie Mine in July 2015 until his recent appointment.
Chikuni is a holder of a Caf A coaching licence and holds a sports management course which he did with the Netherlands-based World Football Academy.
He also had a coaching attachment at Absa Premiership outfit Platinum Stars where he worked with coach Cavin Johnson.