The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
NEWLY appointed Tsholotsho Football Club assistant coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda says she is ready for the new challenge in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League following her switch from women’s Super League side, Inline Academy.Kwinji 15, as the former Mighty Warriors player is affectionately known in football circles said she expects tough challenges that go with the PSL and that there would likely be more pressure in men’s football but would weather the storm through support from her male colleagues.
Kwinji was appointed the PSL debutants’ assistant coach last weekend and will work alongside head coach Lizwe Sweswe and another assistant coach Master Ngwenya in the team’s technical department.
“I have been in women’s football for a long time but I think after acquiring my coaching badges I believe I am ready to take on a new challenge and it is the one I relish,’’ said Sibanda.
“I’m obviously looking forward to the pressure that comes not only in being in men’s soccer but playing in the PSL. (But) I feel we are still in football so the difference will not be much pronounced. I will certainly learn from my colleagues who have been in the setup for a long time on how to handle the pressure but I am a football person and will certainly be learning from all the experiences I will be going through.”
Sibanda said she was adapting well and was enjoying her experience at Tsholotsho.
“I am adapting well so far and I have not been made to feel that I am a woman in a sea full of males and the players have been disciplined and haven’t given me any problems,” said Sibanda, who also coaches the Zimbabwe’s under-20 female side.
Sibanda is one of the most highly qualified coaches in the country. She is a holder of an instructor’s qualification, a Caf A licence and also attained a Germany B licence in 2012.
Kwinji becomes the first female coach to switch to men’s football in local soccer and in the PSL. She joins former Mighty Warriors player Zenzile “Dolly” Mpofu in being among the local female coaches to mentor a male football team.
Mpofu, who moved to Swaziland, made history in that country when she was appointed head coach of Mbabane Swallows in that country’s premier soccer league.
