Chinyemba to remain in First Division
Friday, May 19, 2023 | 450 Views |

Staying put: Chinyemba will not be in the Premier League next season
Chinyemba is not qualified to coach in the Premier League and he has said he will look for another project in the lower divisions. "Botswana football authorities say that foreign coaches must have a CAF A license to coach in the Premier League but I have a CAF B. So I am out," Chinyemba told Mmegi Sport on Wednesday.
He made it clear that his goal is to upgrade his qualifications and coach in the Premier League. He, however, said that he is not in a hurry to coach at the highest level in the country. "The First Division is a good league.
I still love it here," he said. Chinyemba has earned a reputation as a promotion specialist and believes that his experience contributed to his triumph at Matebele. "The experience worked for me, especially towards the end of the season. I have promoted teams before so I knew how to navigate through challenges associated with fighting for a championship.
I can sum up by saying that this was one of the best but toughest seasons in my career because I was challenged by very good coaches." "Most teams also attracted good players because they are financially stable." Chinyemba's achievements have been hailed as a rare feat by many football pundits because by all accounts Matebele are not well-resourced compared to the other clubs in the First Division South. Last season Matebele finished in fourth position and the Zimbabwean mentor said the aim was to finish better than last season. Chinyemba has enjoyed a lot of success in the lower divisions in the last decade. Five years ago, he presided over the promotion of Sua Flamingoes to the Debswana First Division North before he left to join TAFIC. He twice oversaw the promotion of TAFIC to the Premier League.
The only major side that Chinyemba has failed to promote is Mochudi Centre. Before joining Matebele in March last year, Chinyemba was Chiefs' head coach. He, however, left the club a few months into his reign citing unpaid wages.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...