Philani Ncube Biography | Coaching Career, Awards, Match Fixing Scandal
This is the biography of Philani Ncube, a Zimbabwean football coach with an extensive managerial career.
Coaching Career
Ncube’s coaching career spans several teams, including Harare City, How Mine, Njube Sundowns, Zimbabwe Saints, Bulawayo City, and Chicken Inn.
In July 2024, he was appointed as the coach of Arenel Movers, taking over from Farai Tawachera, who was suspended due to a lack of positive results. At the time of his appointment, Arenel Movers were at the bottom of the league table with only one win in 19 matches. Ncube was unable to improve the team’s performance, and Arenel Movers were relegated from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League. After a 1-0 defeat to the 2024 champions Simba Bhora, Ncube expressed doubts about his suitability for Division One football.
Ncube also has experience coaching in Botswana, where he worked with Nico United. He was dismissed in January 2023 following a series of poor results. Ncube had joined Nico United in October 2023 on a one-year contract, but by the time of his departure, the team was 11th in the league table with 11 points from 11 matches.
On May 24, 2017, Ncube was appointed head coach of Harare City, replacing Mike Madzivanyika. However, he was relieved of his duties in January 2018 after Harare City was relegated to the Zifa Northern Region Division One League on the final day of the 2017 season.
In March 2023, he served as the head coach of Adachi Football Club, a Bulawayo-based team. Adachi Football Club reportedly received sponsorship from Adrian Mtungwazi, who had previously provided financial support to Zimbabwe Saints. Unfortunately, Adachi Football Club was relegated from the ZIFA Southern Region Division One at the end of the 2022 season.
The technical team at Adachi included former national team goalkeeper coach Peter Nkomo and ex-Warriors midfielder Johannes Ngodzo.
Also read: Lynoth Chikuhwa Biography | Education and Early Football Career | Club Career | International Career
Awards
In 2008, Ncube was recognized as the Premiership Coach of the Year while coaching Njube Sundowns.
Match Fixing Scandal
On August 4, 2016, Ncube, along with his assistant Farai Mujokoro and kit manager Gift Mvala, faced suspension from Bulawayo City Football Club. They were alleged to have attempted to bribe Border Strikers goalkeeper Talent Sande before an upcoming match. Following this, Mvala and Mujokoro received bans from the Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee.
Both Ncube and Bulawayo City chairperson Jerry Sibanda were provisionally suspended by the Zimbabwe Football Association Executive Committee, preventing them from participating in football activities in Zimbabwe.
