SPORTS REPORTER
MBERENGWA – The appointment of Kumbirai Johannis Gutu as the head coach of Jame West FC came with doubts as he was coming from bitter rivals, Great Dyke FC and Mbesa FC.
Jame West FC, who are newcomers to the ZIFA Midlands Province Division 2A league, had a rocky pre-season, drawing one all against Black Eagles and Great Dyke.
Many people had wanted Gutu out even before the season had commenced.
The decision could have cost the team that has now gone 13 games unbeaten in the league and conceded the least goals, which is four in 10 games, having scored 22 in the process.
Gutu, who is the second-born in a family of seven, was born in 1981, at St. Barbara’s Mission Hospital in Rusape.
He is the son of Alois Gutu and Anna Bhunu.
He attended St. Barbara’s Primary School and Mutare Boys High School for his secondary education.
Gutu attended Bulawayo Polytechnic, where he became a boilermaker with a Class 2 qualification.
His football career started at the primary school level as a defender before he was identified by ZUPCO Mutare FC in Division 2 while he was in Form 2.
He played for ZUPCO Mutare FC for two years before joining Tanganda Juniors.
Six months later, the player-turned-coach was promoted to the Tanganda senior team, where he played alongside the likes of Stanford Makunike, Gift Kamuriwo, Patrick Chapoterera, Lloyd Mutasa, and Watson Muhoni.
Gutu later moved to Bulawayo, where he played for Amazulu, owned by the flamboyant business tycoon Delma Luphephe, before transferring to Njube Sundowns.
He also played for Vumbachikwe FC, Blanket Mine, Emma FC, and Makwe FC, all in the dormitory town of Gwanda.
In 2017, he started his coaching career and in 2021, he coached the ZIFA Midlands Division Two side Mbesa Academy in Mberengwa.
In 2022, he held the position of team manager and assistant coach at Great Dyke FC.
Currently, he is the head coach of Jame West FC in Mberengwa, which has gone 10 games unbeaten.
Gutu holds a CAF C license.
Speaking to The Midweek Watch, Gutu highlighted that being a coach is one of the toughest jobs, adding that he is thriving to finish the whole season unbeaten.
“I am happy to be at Jame West. It’s been a good season so far, as we are still unbeaten in the 13 games we have played. We want to keep that record intact until the end of the season, hopefully going to play Division 1 football,” he said.
He is a fan of the 4-3-3 formation.
