Former Kaizer Chiefs and Sekhukhune United midfielder Willard Katsande has opened up about his decision to join a little-known Zimbabwean first division team, Rangers FC.
Last Thursday, Katsande completed his move to the Chinhoyi-based side, which competes in the ZIFA Northern Region Soccer League.
The 40-year-old will start his new role on March 10 after his unveiling, ahead of the league’s March 14 kick-off. Katsande, who holds a CAF C License, is looking to rise through the coaching ranks, with future targets including the Zimbabwe PSL and national team.
In an interview with FARPost, Katsande revealed the thinking behind his decision to join a team in the less fashionable first division in Zimbabwe.
WHAT WILLARD KATSANDE SAID
He said it’s his starting point to rise as a coach in Zimbabwe. Additionally, Katsande stated that he has been tasked with helping Rangers FC secure promotion to Zim’s PSL by 2027.
“Why I chose Rangers is because, look, I spoke to the hierarchy. They made it clear that their aim is to get promoted to the PSL. At the same time, you know, I’m a guy who wants to test himself, how far I am in terms of growth, in terms of football,” Katsande told FARPost.
“Where I am, I’ve been proving myself, so I just wanted the challenge. But at the same time, you know, I need to get up there with other coaches. But how do you do that? You need to take a project that takes you to where you want to be.
“So my desire is to help them [Rangers] achieve their primary objective this year. And the good thing is, if you look into this, there’s a newly launched cup tournament called Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, whereby it gives you an opportunity again to test yourself with PSL teams.”
Katsande also added that experience gained from Kitoko Soccer School’s friendlies against Zimbabwe PSL teams will help him in his new role.
“And as you know, I’ve been going with my boys to Zimbabwe for the tour, and they kind of understand how Zimbabwean football is. At the same time, it’s a great value, you know, Zimbabwean football. But the bottom line, it’s about me growing as a coach. And with the ambition to continuously grow in the sense of football.
“So the bottom line is we just need to go there and add value to the team and help them to be better than the way we found them.”
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