At the peak of his playing days, Moses “Bambo’’ Chunga dazzled for Dynamos and the Warriors and scaled heights as he became Zimbabwe’s first export player following his move to Belgium.
Chunga turns 60 years-old this year, a milestone he reflects with sobering clarity how time flies.
“I am turning 60 soon; nobody lives forever on earth,” Chunga said.
He is one of the most celebrated football talents to ever emerge from the country.
In Belgium, he attained iconic status at Eendracht Aalst, who often invite him back at the European club to watch some of their matches and honour him.
Chunga has been in the football trenches long enough as both player and coach to speak authoritatively on the game.
And as he looks to turn 60 in October, he is advocating for change in the way Zimbabwean football is handled across the divide, with more focus and attention being directed at legacy projects for future generations.
For a man who played both in Europe and in Africa, Chunga is not amused by some local football administrators who he slammed for always peddling empty promises while not doing much to improve infrastructure and the governance systems.
“The problem we have with our football is that people are thinking through the stomach. Our administrators need to walk the talk now. We are in 2025, but our football looks a whole century behind.
“Look at the infrastructure, and everything related, it’s not what it should be,’’ Chunga said.
He called out those with a penchant for ridiculing any new club that emerges on the scene but appear to be despised for their financial muscle.
Just like FC Platinum before them, ambitious newboys Scottland and MWOS have flexed their financial muscles and changed the face of the Premier Soccer League.
“It’s funny how every ambitious side that comes into the top-flight easily gets names,” he said.
“Many are trying to discredit Scottland. But the owner, Scott Sakupwanya has done so much for football in a short space of time that deserves to be applauded.
“I also remember when FC Platinum came, people also called them moneybags.
“But football all over the world needs money. Let’s embrace the game changers in our midst and bring positivity around our football, not negativity.”
After a poor start to his Chegutu Pirates tenure where is the coach?, Chunga is trying to guide his team into the top eight on the Northern Region Soccer League log standings.
After match-day 20, Chegutu Pirates are in 14th position with 20 points while log leaders N’ombeyawora have 44 together with second-placed Agama.
They will now host fellow strugglers MWOS U-19 at Pfupajena on Saturday.
Chunga’s assistant Ernest Gava is however, optimistic of a positive result.
“We are expecting good results because we are at home. Normally, we play good football when we’re on our home ground.
“Our target is to stay in Division One this year because we are building a strong and competitive team.
“We also have a good age structure in our squad, which gives us confidence for the future,” said Gava.
Chegutu Pirates will go into battle still smarting from a comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Paul “Popopo’’ Chimalizeni’s Agama at Pfura last weekend.
NRSL Fixtures (Kick-off 1400Hrs)
Tomorrow: FC Oden, vs Black Mambas (Chinhoyi), Ngezi U-19 vs Karoi United (Baobab), Cranborne Bullets vs Zambezi (Commando Barracks).
Saturday: Agama vs Banket United (Pfura), Ali Sundowns vs Trojan Stars (Wagadhugu), Chinhoyi Rangers vs Chinhoyi Stars (Chinhoyi), Harare City vs Shamva (Gwanzura), PAM vs N’ombeyawora (Muriel Mine), Chegutu Pirates vs MWOS U-19 (Pfupajena)
The Herald