Mapeza, the gift that keeps giving

• Published date: 12 December 2022
• Publication title: The Sunday Mail

WHILE controversy denied him what would have been his first ever Coach of the Year award back in 2008, there were no qualms this time when Norman Mapeza bagged his third accolade at a colourful ceremony in Harare last week.

The 50-year-old gaffer is fresh from guiding FC Platinum to their record-equalling fourth straight Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.

He was duly rewarded with the 2021/2022 Coach of the Year award.

It was his third Coach of the Year accolade since 2008, when he plunged into the coaching field after a glittering playing career that saw him not only feature on the Soccer Stars calendar but also excel for Zimbabwe's Warriors.

Yet, the recent award could have been the fourth time for Mapeza, had the sports journalists not disqualified him from the race back in 2008.

That accolade was controversially won by Philani 'Beefy' Ncube, who had guided Njube Sundowns to a respectable third place on the final log standings.

Mapeza, who had won his first league title as coach with Monomotapa, was disqualified for his involvement in an altercation with a rowdy Eastern Lions fan, popularly known as 'Mambo Jesu'.

It might be 14 years back, but Mapeza still thinks about that incident and how he lost that award.

He would, however, 'rather not dwell much on that sad part'' of his history.

'I would rather not talk about it, instead, I should celebrate winning another Coach of the Year award, which is my third in recent years,' Mapeza told The Sunday Mail Sport.

He also won it in 2017 and 2018.

'I am more than happy with my achievements as a coach because this is what we dreamed of as we were growing up back in Chitungwiza.'

As a player, Mapeza managed to be on the local Soccer Stars calendar once and that was in 1993, when he starred for the now defunct Darryn T.

Mapeza could have been Soccer Star of the Year, the preceding season, but he received a red card in a match against Black Aces, who would go on to provide the winner Wilfred Mugeyi.

Since turning into coaching, the former Galatasaray defender has, however, churned out scores of Soccer Stars since 2008, two years after he hung up his boots.

The 14-man list of stars who have come through his hands is made up of Daniel Zokoto, Mthulisi Maphosa, Godfrey Mangove, Thabani Kamusoko, Brian Muzondiwa, Petros Mhari, Winston Mhango, Walter Musona, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Kevin Moyo, Farai Madhanaga, Never Tigere, Gift Bello and Wallace Magalane.

The ex-Monomotapa trio of Zokoto, Mangove and Maphosa were on the...