Highlanders’ legend, Johannes “Signature” Ngodzo, is silently masterminding a championship fight in the ZIFA Central Region Soccer League, but remains coy about landing the title with Gwanda Pirates.
A relatively new side in local football, just two years old, Ngodzo took over the reins at Gwanda Pirates at the beginning of the year.
He has won 17 games, drawn seven and only lost twice, amassing 58 points and his team is perched on position three.
On Sunday, Gwanda Pirates upstaged log leaders Sheasham 1-0 at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda and closed the gap to eight points with Hardrock FC on the second spot with 64 points.
Eight games remain until the end of the season.
“That win was just a win, it was a fixture that we had to fulfil but in terms of respect, we have so much respect for Sheasham for what they have done in the current season,” Ngodzo said in a post-match interview.
“It has not been easy looking at the wins they have, but we are also there to compete.
“We are not focussing on the championship, but on the next game.
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“We are in the league to compete and not just to add numbers.”
Ngodzo said his only challenge was that Gwanda Pirates fans don’t take kindly to a defeat or a draw.
“It’s my first time to work outside Bulawayo here at Gwanda Pirates, but the advantage here is the fan base is okay,” he said.
“Gwanda Pirates people love football; so far so good.
“They cannot take anything other than a win, but in terms of support, they are a wonderful lot, especially away games.”
Ngodzo, a midfield maestro in his heyday, said he harboured ambitions of coaching one of the big clubs in Zimbabwean football.
“In 2016, I was voted coach of the year in the Southern Region with Bantu Rovers and got them promoted to the Premier Soccer League,” he said.
“In 2020 I worked under Try Ncube when Bulawayo City was promoted to the top league.
“The ambition is there, it is every coach’s ambition to coach big teams in Zimbabwe, but I am taking it step by step.”
He added: “Coaching is not an easy journey for us as former players.
“What we need mostly is support from families and close friends, like here the Gwanda community has been very supportive.”
A knee injury sustained while playing for the national team at the turn of millennium put a damper on Ngodzo’s illustrious career.
He later turned into coaching.
He also currently sponsors an annual juniors tournament in Bulawayo’s Mzilikazi suburb, where he grew up.
