NEW Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Buffaloes head coach Moses Chunga says he is a very expensive coach.
KENNETH NYANGANI
Affectionately known as Bambo in soccer circles, Chunga conducted his first training session yesterday morning at Chancellor Primary School in Mutare.
Chunga, viewed as controversial in some football quarters, arrived at the training session at exactly 9am in the team bus with Arnold Gatsi (club secretary-general), Aaron Dzvete (team manager) assistant manager Farai Mubvuri and Justice Nyamande (security officer).
Gatsi then introduced Chunga to the players.
“I would like to introduce to you to our new head coach, Moses Chunga, but the other departments will remain the same both on the technical side and the executive,” he said.
Midfielder Kudzai Mwaramba was the first to taste Bambo’s medicine after arriving at training wearing a hat and was ordered to do push-ups, before the coach addressed the players.
“l hope we are going to have a fruitful working relationship with you. I would like to tell you how I was approached by Buffaloes. Mr Mabika (Francis, Buffaloes, vice-chairman — technical) approached me sometime ago saying that they had a challenge at Buffaloes.
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“And I told him kuti ndinodhura (I’m very expensive) for sure. Because I also have to consider the distance coming all the way from Harare,” he said.
“But he told me the situation at the club and at least we understood each other. This is why I decided to come here. Anyway, I am not here for money, but for the love of football. They (Buffaloes executive) told me that they owe you (players) money, but they promised to look into that,” he said.
“Even my favourite team DeMbare kuti $40 ibude ma one (it’s a battle). The same problems you are having here are also the same problems I was facing where I am coming from (Chiredzi),” he said.
Chunga then told his players to be disciplined and united.
“As players you should be united, I was not happy when I came here. You were in groups when I came here. Please this starts with you, you need to be united and if you are late to training you will face the consequences. How many of you players drink beer because I also drink?
“But there is a certain code I use. When we meet in a bar you should know that we don’t drink together. Even if we meet in a bar you should vacate. I am not a lion, you should know that,” he said.
“I am not saying you should just leave instantly. You can have one or two and then disappear. But it is better to meet tomorrow and say sorry coach I had no money that is why I just went home or I moved to another bar,” added Chunga.
His parting shot was to this journalist after the extensive coverage of the Chiredzi saga saying: “Journalist, who are your reliable sources?”
Buffaloes assistant coach Timothy Masachi pleaded with the players to adapt to the new system. “We now have a new coach and we should adapt to the new system he wants to introduce. Football is played differently and each coach would like to introduce his system,” he said.
Chunga replaced Luke Masomere who dumped the army side to join Bulawayo side How Mine.
