Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum Stars’ coach, Takesure Chiragwi, has credited Lizwe Sweswe for giving him the respect and prediction of greatness seven years ago.
Chiragwi’s team overpowered Sheasham 2-1 on Wednesday, putting them in a strong position to win the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship with three points required from the available nine. Despite losing to Ngezi, Sweswe did justice to Chiragwi’s request, highlighting how impressed he was with Chiragwi’s work at Shabanie Mine.
Chiragwi revealed how he turned down Sweswe’s offer to join FC Platinum in 2019, praising Ngezi Platinum’s leadership for gambling on him against all odds.
“It was during the time when we were both working in Zvishavane. I was with FC Platinum and he was battling at Shabanie Mine.
“Shabanie were not at their best during that period and I saw how Chiragwi was trying to transform Chinda Boys.
“I was really impressed. I told him that if he continued working hard, he was going to be one of the best in our field. What was only missing was a team with better structures and I’m not surprised with how he has transformed Ngezi,” said Sweswe.
Chiragwi also revealed how he turned down Sweswe’s offer when he was asked to join FC Platinum in 2019 when the miners registered their record equalling fourth title.
They achieved this feat under Sweswe’s guidance after Norman Mapeza, the man who had started this journey, had joined South Africa’s Chippa United.
“Some told Sweswe that I had ended my union with Shabanie and he called me to confirm if it was true. He then asked me to join him at FC Platinum where he had replaced Mapeza as head coach. Unfortunately, I had received an offer in Swaziland and I was going there as a head coach.
“I wanted to grow and I explained to him my reasons, and he accepted my reason and we have been in touch ever since,” said Chiragwi.
The 40-year-old, also urged upcoming coaches to never go out of their way just to fit in.
“It’s never easy to make it as a young coach because there are people who might force you to abandon your ways of doing things.
“But it takes great courage to soldier on and it’s even difficult because clubs rarely appoint unknown coaches.
“And, I also want to thank Ngezi leadership for what they did for me. It means a lot to me and everyone who has ever supported me. It’s now up to the boys to wrap it up,” he said.