Rhodes women's soccer coach and Eleven Attackers midfielder Siyabonga "Zizou" Dumiso talks to Rudzani Floyd Musekwa about being a player, being a coach… and being inspired.
Rhodes women's soccer coach and Eleven Attackers midfielder Siyabonga "Zizou" Dumiso talks to Rudzani Floyd Musekwa about being a player, being a coach… and being inspired.
Who is Siyabonga Dumiso? I ask the 26-year-old midfield maestro at the Rhodes University King Field, as he puts his charges through their paces. “Eish, bra Floyd, how do I start this?" he responds, as he tells the players to take a 10-minute breather.
Born in Aliwal North in 1984, Dumiso attended Dordrecht Primary School before moving to Grahamstown in 1998, where he matriculated at Nombulelo in 2002. Dumiso proceeded to Walter Sisulu University, where he studied towards a national higher certificate in accounting, graduating in 2007.
"I can say I was actually born playing football,” he says, laughing. The players, now under the care of his assistant, Thandy Mize, are back on the field. “In 2008, when I came back to Grahamstown, I worked closely with Thandy (Mize), who was then the head coach. In 2009 I applied for the head coach position and got the job, and have never looked back,” he says.
Dumiso enjoys his job, but says it's a bit frustrating. "It’s a bit like working with a national team because you work with different players every year. When you've got them to a level, you have to start all over again, because the students come and go,” he says.
His biggest problem, though, is that most of the players are playing soccer for the first time. “It’s not easy starting a culture of playing competitive soccer with people who normally play just for the fun of it," Dumiso says. "These are people who basically played the game without the rules and now I have to try and engage them in that direction.”
“Most of them are passionate about the game and are very willing to learn, which is very positive.”
As we talk and laugh, Mandla Gagayi, who is prominent in Grahamstown sport in general, and soccer in particular, arrives. Dumiso points to "Bra Mindlos", saying, "these are people who have played a significant role in my life, and whenever I am doubtful about something I consult uMandla."
On the day he scored a hat-trick he had just received an encouraging sms from Gagayi. An ardent Kaizer Chiefs supporter and a Doctor Khumalo fan, Dumiso is an integral part of his team, the Eleven Attackers, which participates in the Cacadu-based Castle League.
Because of his age and persistent injuries, he says, the chances of his playing at a higher level are limited. He wishes only to help the side get promotion to the provincially based Vodacom league (a step higher than the Castle league).
“I may not be there physically in the Vodacom league, but my wish is for the boys to get there, and if I can see that I would have achieved something,” he says.
Dumiso may not be there when his current team, (Attackers) get the promotion to the elite Vodacom league, but his contribution to football in these parts will be there, even after his ankle injury finally relegates him to the bench.
