Sweswe’s Div One dream
FORMER FC Platinum assistant coach Lizwe Sweswe intends to impart his Premiership experience at ZIFA Southern Region Division One side, Trukumb.
He joined them on a four-year contract deal.
Sweswe was unveiled at Trukumb last week after he parted ways with the Zimbabwe champions on a mutual agreement.
In an interview with H- Metro, Sweswe confirmed having been approached by two big clubs, but opted for the Division One side where his services were greatly needed.
“Yes I was approached by some big clubs, but I have been coaching in the premier league.
“Division One also needed me. I am looking at this opportunity with a long term sight and also going to Division One, there are some players who need my knowledge and I am also ready to give back.
“Look at Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders.
“Those are well- established clubs who have got coaches already.
“I chose to go to Trukumb which is a new team which was promoted to Division One and in terms of organisation, professionalism and everything that I
want as a coach, I think I am satisfied,” he said.
Sweswe went on to rubbish claims that he turned down a job with the FC Platinum’s Division one side.
“I just parted with FC Platinum amicably. Coaching for me is not all about money. It’s something that is in me. I have got passion for football. If I do things for money I would end up coaching a church team because they have money.
“Coaching for me is more like a calling. I wouldn’t stay in any team because of money.”
Sweswe however, said he is not feeling any kind of pressure after joining Trukumb
“What I can say as a coach is, remember Trukumb is in the first division, so the target here is not to put myself under pressure in making sure that the team is promoted to the Premier League.
“What I can say now is to make sure that Trukumb produce good players, play good football, and become one of the recognised clubs in Zimbabwe because of the type of football they will be playing.
“Then at the end of the day yes, it’s every coach’s wish or every player playing in the first division to play in the Premier League.
“I don’t have that pressure myself of coaching in the premier league, I have been there but the players I will be coaching there, one way or the other they will feel that now it’s time for them to play in the premier league which is okay and I will be happy if the team will be promoted.” He added:
“Yes I made history with Tsholotsho, which is good, but I am not under pressure. I have proven and have done very well in terms of coaching.
“I doubt very much that there are some people who doubt me, unless they are those who always want to be on someone’s case, but all in all I don’t do this job to satisfy anyone.”
Tsholotsho marked his rise to stardom when he led them into the Premiership back in 2014.
“My first success story was in the Southern Region Division One, when I led Tsholotsho into the Premiership. At first the club owner only wanted the team to be promoted to Division One.
“We achieved that and stayed in that league for two seasons before we were promoted into the elite league where I also stayed for two seasons before joining FC Platinum.”
Sweswe led the Zvishavane- based side to their third successive title when he took over from Norman Mapeza, who quit the club in September 2019.
The former Tsholotsho coach was part of the FC Platinum technical team when Pure Platinum won consecutive championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
“After winning the Premiership my CV is now complete. I cannot boast so much about it because I am still learning. I won championships at Division 2 and Division 1 level.
“We have won every title since I joined FC Platinum, we also qualified for the CAF Champions league. All these are positives that I took from the club.
“Yes, there may be negatives but good things are more than the bad. I can say I enjoyed every moment I had with the club.”