Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Ian Gorowa once shouted instructions from the touchline. Now, he’s delivering sermons from the pulpit.
The 53-year-old former officially hung up his coaching board, choosing a life of ministry over football.
After years out of the spotlight, the ex-Cape Town Spurs attacker has revealed he’s now a full-time pastor at the Apostolic Faith Mission, and has no plans to return to the game.
IAN GOROWA BEGINS A NEW CHAPTER
Gorowa’s last job in football came in 2014 as Zimbabwe’s national team coach, nearly a decade after his memorable stint at Sundowns.
Gorowa took the club’s coaching seat 2011 when Kabo Yellows turned to him to bring stability after a poor spell. He impressed both players and fans. However, even after steadying the ship, Masandawana did not fulfil his dream with a permanent appointment.
“Yes, I have cancelled coaching as a career. I’m not coming back. I’m winning souls now,” Gorowa told FARPost. “The journey as a pastor has been very good. I’m enjoying it.
“It’s fulfilling and enriches one’s spirit,” he added.
His last major role after Sundowns came in 2014 as Zimbabwe’s national team coach, before quietly stepping away from the game.
Recently, rumours suggested he might be returning to coach in Zimbabwe, but he quickly put those to bed. “That I’m joining a team from Zimbabwe is not true,” he said.
“I was not feeling well, and my child got me an air ticket to go home, but I’m back now. People just speculate, they don’t approach me. I just leave them,” Gorowa concluded.
COACHING CAREER
Born in Rusape in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland Province, Gorowa began shaping his coaching career at Moroka Swallows in 2007. He later served as an assistant at Sundowns, the Zimbabwe national team, and Ajax Cape Town, before stepping up to head coach roles with both Swallows and Zimbabwe.
Gorowa’s longest spell was at Swallows, where his team scored 41 goals and let in 41 over 30 matches