Former Zimbabwe international striker Adam Ndlovu, now assistant coach at Premiership debutants Chicken Inn, is aiming for a top-eight finish in his maiden appearance on the bench for the newcomers.
Ndlovu sat on the bench last week at Luveve when Chicken Inn drew 2-2 with Blue Ribbon in the season-opener and together with head coach Philani Ncube oversaw the Innscor company’s 2-0 win at Maglas on Sunday over Shabanie Mine.
“While our aim is to win the league, we would also be very happy to finish in the top eight because this is our first season.
“We want the players to be motivated so that they give us results. I want them to become better players than I was,” he said.
He urged Southern Region teams which include Chicken Inn, Highlanders, Zimbabwe Saints, Hwange, Shabanie Mine, FC Platinum and Masvingo United to perform well in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) to avoid relegation.
“The results that we got are good. Teams from the Southern Region should perform well and this will motivate youngsters to be more involved in football. We need more teams from the region to be in the PSL,” he said.
The former striker attributed his success as one of the top strikers to have emerged from Zimbabwe as a result of hard work.
“I used to work extra hard. When training was over I would stay behind and practise shooting and work on my weaker points. The players must also do extra training on their own,” he said.
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“Alcohol is also not good for a soccer player. Players should not drink alcohol or take any drugs. They should concentrate on what they are doing and be disciplined,” he said.
Ndlovu castigated his former club Highlanders for the way the club dismissed juniors coach Ali “Baba” Dube. “I respect Ali. He had a big influence on my career and on us the Ndlovu brothers and other players. I think the way he was treated was very unfair, he is an old man but that is not the way to treat him,” he said.
Ndlovu started off his career at Highlanders before he was lured to Switzerland in 1994. He turned out for SC Krienns, Delemont and FC Zurich in Switzerland until 2002.
Ndlovu came back to his childhood club Highlanders in 2002 where he formed a formidable partnership with Stewart Murisa. His return was short-lived as he left with Murisa to join Moroka Swallows in South Africa.
After Moroka Swallows he moved to Dynamos and briefly turned out for Free State Stars before opting to work in the entertainment industry in that country.
Ndlovu said he hopes that the experience he gained over the years at different clubs will benefit Chicken Inn.
“I am trying to give them the benefit of all the expence all the advice that I have acquired from all these teams. I will give all the advice that I can as we are positive and hungry to win,” Ndlovu said.
