By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare, 26 January 2026— Newly appointed Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Cliff Dzvairo has attributed his rapid rise in Zimbabwean football to tactical intelligence, resilience and a long-term development philosophy, following an extensive WhatsApp-based question-and-answer session with football administrators, coaches and supporters.
Dzvairo recently made history as the youngest coach to be promoted into the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in Zimbabwe and the wider SADC region. Reflecting on his title-winning campaign with Hunters FC, he revealed that success was achieved under difficult circumstances after the club lost a significant number of players.
“When we arrived at Hunters, the club was in a bad state in terms of playing personnel. Fourteen players had left with the previous coach, leaving us with only 16 players and only four had meaningful game time,” said Dzvairo.
He said the immediate task was to remain within reach of the title race until the transfer window. Hunters lost only one match during that period before reinforcing the squad with 13 new signings, a move that transformed their campaign.
“The key was using players according to their strengths and building internal competition. Everyone in the squad had to fight for a place,” he said.
Tactically, Dzvairo said his side gained a decisive advantage by adopting a passing style of play in a region largely dominated by second-ball football.
“Most teams struggled against ball circulation. We mastered that, created chances, scored goals and kept clean sheets,” he added.
Dzvairo also reflected on his earlier 2024 campaign with St Pauls Musami, where the team started strongly but faded due to a series of setbacks, including player shortages.
“The goal at St Pauls was to stabilise the team and challenge for promotion the following year. We tried to push for it in the first season but failed because of the challenges we faced,” he said.
He explained that his persistence at the club was driven by personal responsibility. “St Pauls Musami was my own project, just like JM Busha. Sponsors only partnered with existing projects, so I committed myself to staying until the end of the season,” said Dzvairo.
On coaching philosophy, Dzvairo emphasised his belief in youth development, patience and long-term value creation.
“Struggling today does not mean struggling tomorrow. Everything has its own time. In football, just like in life, there is a time to plant and a time to harvest,” he said, adding that success does not come immediately.
“We start by building. Once we create real value, the world will notice our work. Coaches must focus on growth before demanding rewards,” he said.
Dzvairo addressed questions on a painful 3–0 loss to Rusitu Tigers at Ndima High School during the Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL) promotion race, attributing the defeat to internal administrative challenges.
“It was not the team’s fault or the coaches’ fault, but issues within the club executive,” he said.
At just 26, Dzvairo is completing his CAF B Licence in April and will begin his CAF A Licence in December. He said continuous education remains central to his growth.
“We do not learn just to qualify. We learn to equip ourselves with knowledge to take our football to another level,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dzvairo said his five-year ambition is to become a head coach in the PSL or outside Zimbabwe, preferably with clubs competing in the CAF Champions League, as well as guiding either the Zimbabwe Under-20 or Under-23 national team to the Africa Cup of Nations.
He also encouraged aspiring coaches, including women, to pursue the profession with passion and commitment. “Football does not pay much at the beginning. I worked for five years without earning anything. If you are passionate, practise every day and keep improving,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Dzvairo described winning the championship as his greatest achievement, while losing his first match in charge against Masvingo remains his lowest moment.
The session concluded with messages of support and encouragement, with participants urging the young coach to remain grounded, value family support and never forget his roots in the Eastern Region Soccer League, where his coaching journey was forged.