Following his recent appointment as head coach of Vondwe XI Bullets Football Club, Mr Owen Da Gama is confident that the team will achieve great success under his guidance. The former Highlands Park mentor joined the ABC Motsepe League side two weeks ago.
When asked about his short- and long-term plans for the team, Da Gama stated that his agreement with the club chairman, Mr Phathutshedzo Siebe, was to build the team together until it became a formidable force. Although promoting the team to the Betway Premiership Division is part of his plans, he is not rushing the process. He revealed that he intends to use the same strategy that helped him promote the now-defunct Mapate Silver Stars from the Vodacom League to the Absa Premiership Division in the late nineties.
Known as "Rubberdol" during his playing days, Da Gama was the first local coach to elevate a team from the amateur division to the country's top league within a record two seasons. He added that developing players for the professional ranks while preparing the team for promotion was central to his mission. The 63-year-old mentor also mentioned that his squad would primarily consist of local players.
Despite being with XI Bullets for just over two weeks, Da Gama has already made a significant impact. His team was crowned champions of the Mdledle Soccer Tournament at the Phiphidi Guvhukuvhu Grounds last Sunday, and Da Gama was honoured with the best coach award, receiving R1,500 and a trophy.
Before retiring in 1991, Da Gama played for teams such as Dynamos FC, VAC Beerschof, Derry City, Leeds United, and Moroka Swallows, where he scored 49 goals in 89 games. His coaching career began at Dynamos FC in 1992, and he has since managed teams, including TS Galaxy, Platinum Stars, and Orlando Pirates, up until 2022.