Zimbabwe’s Samkeliso Paradza Ncube Joins Spanish outfit FC Malaga City

By Tafadzwa Mpofu

Spanish football love for Zimbabwe football flavour is growing in leaps and bounds as 32-year-old soccer coach, Samkeliso Paradzai Ncube is set to be officially unveiled on Monday after joining fifth soccer tier Spanish outfit FC Malaga City first team technical department.

Such an appointment could prove a big boost to the game in Zimbabwe which sadly is still snoring deep in the COVID-19 pandemic induced hiatus which claimed the 2020 soccer calendar after just the season opening Champion of Champions Charity Shield last March.

Ncube, who is already in Spain, confirmed the development after lengthy persuasion describing it as an amazing opportunity.

“It is an amazing opportunity to hone my skills in one of the best footballing countries in the world. They have an amazing football culture. I’m going to absorb as much of the good stuff as possible.

“I think it is good for local coaches to be exposed to international methods to make our local football improve its quality and competitiveness.

“Zimbabwe football needs rebuilding from grassroots right to the top. We need to produce well developed players if we are to succeed,” said Ncube.

Born in Harare, Ncube grew up in Chikurubi Support Unit camp where his father was a police officer and started playing soccer at a young age. However,he got injured while playing football, but his love for the game would see him pursue the dream of becoming a coach.

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“Thank God it all happened in good faith, I got my first coaching license when I was at Black Mambas with my brother John Toto Ncube. He helped me with more through his experience but later moved to Twalumba and worked with Wilson Mutekede, Mike Madzivanyika and Gift Umbro Muzadzi.

“That’s where the nickname Young Pep started with the owner of Twalumba, the late Nkululeko Sibanda, said on my birthday Pep we need a championship. I then moved to Caps/Gunners Development side with Darlington Dodo, Ikabort Masocha, Stewart Murisa and James Matola.

“But as young as I was, only a few coaches expected that one day I was going to make it to Europe. But I stood my ground and became the head coach for Big Five Football Club taking over from Joseph Shabba Takaringofa.”

Ncube then relocated to South Africa where he became assistant coach to Backlyfield Chivenga at a Pretoria club. Chivenga taught and imparted a lot of things onto the young coach.

“I am who I am today and give thanks to Chivenga because I remember last year I had lost hope of coming here but because of him he helped me and my family and they all supported me till now I’m here. FC Malaga City is my new home and I’m happy to be here.

“Looking forward to learning a lot about the game and I’m hoping by chance Zimbabwe football will soon benefit and I’m still holding on to my dream to coach my beloved number one team our Warriors. I’m part of the FC Malaga City first team technical department but my role will be out on Monday,” said Ncube.

There seems to be growing Spanish love for Zimbabwe football flavour with another Spanish side Real Betis last year set up an Academy in Southern Africa nation recruiting former Dynamos captain Murape Murape and former Highlanders midfielder Johannes Ngodzo as coaches.