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‘NURO’ NTIBANE:THE FORCE BEHIND LEOPARD REVIVAL

26/03/2014 02:12:00 BY NTOKOZO MAGONGO

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Tell us a bit about yourself? I’m a down to earth person who believes in God and hail from Malindza. I am also married and have three children, two sons and a daughter, so you can expect to see a Nuro Junior in the near future as the boys also love football.

What inspired you to take up coaching?
The passion I have for football and the guidance I got from my authorities here in the police service drove me to take up coaching and I’m glad I took it.

How far are you with coaching qualifications?
I have done all national coaching courses and also have the CAF Licence B now going for Licence A. But this does not mean I know so much as I’m still new in the profession.

How does it feel coaching the team you also played for?
It is such an honour, especially because they know me. It just feels like home. I also know the culture of the team which I believe I have maintained since I took over as head coach. I have 12 years at Leopard, nine of which I was a player and even captained the team.

Did you have any fears when you were handed the head coach’s role?
It is not an easy job, especially for a learner like me but I guess it helped me that I started in the technical role while I was still playing and captained the team. I started as a physical trainer in 2010 then became Texan Phiri’s assistant the following year. That boosted me so I had no fears and the way we operate at Leopard, there have never been any difficulties for me.

How far do you want to go with coaching? Any aspirations to become a national coach at any level?
Currently there are none but I am taking it one step at a time. I’m new, young and still have a lot to learn before I can start dreaming about being a national coach. I also want to thank the senior and experienced coaches who have often helped me.

Since you took the coaching reigns at Leopard, you have won two titles, being the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup and PLS/Ultimate Trade Fair Cup. What is the secret to that having been described by some journalists and your colleagues as a ‘student coach’?
There is no secret to be honest but hard work pays, especially if you will put God first in all you do, which is what the whole team does. You know titles come as a bonus for me, considering that I’m still on my learning experience so I could agree with those saying ‘student coach’.

You now have a chance to make it four titles in only a space of eight months as your team is vying for the MTN League title and SwaziBank Cup. What is your feeling about that and do you believe it can be accomplished?
We are taking it one game at a time. As a team what makes us strong is that we sit and plan together from the top to the players who have shown me that winning mentality which existed during my playing days. We’ll prepare for each game as it comes in all tournaments and see what we can come out with.

Would you agree that your team is not playing any fancy football but still tactically strong which some football analysts see as your strength?
Football is a dirty game in which results matter most, so my emphasis is on the team’s culture that we must have the fighting spirit, the winning mentality and maintain a high level of tactical discipline.

What did you tell your players that lifted them to beat Mbabane Swallows 2-0 last Sunday in the SwaziBank Cup semis?
They wanted to win it themselves so when we had our team talk it came from them that Swallows have been dominating them for a while now in all tournaments but this time they said ‘enough was enough’.

You are still to meet Swallows in the league who are your close title rivals, how do you fancy your chances of winning the game?
Games are won after 90 minutes and besides, we don’t single out any team because every game has been tough for us. Otherwise, one must thank the National Commissioner, his deputies, RC, MC, players and supporters for the unity in the team.

Your best moment as a player?
It has got to be the time we won the MTN League for three consecutive years. That was the highlight of my career.

Your best moment as a coach?
Winning the two titles and also beating Mbabane Swallows to reach the SwaziBank Cup final slated for April 6. Every coach wants silverware so the two I have remain in my heart.