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Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
NGEZI PLATINUM coach Takesure Chiragwi conducted a four-hour soul searching exercise with his players as he tried to find a reason for their poor start to the defence of their Premiership title.
This followed their latest defeat, a 1-2 loss to Greenfuel in Chisumbanje at the weekend.
The champions already trail leaders Highlanders by eight points, after just five matches, and the two sides meet in the next round of fixtures at Baobab.
With just one win from the opening five matches, Ngezi Platinum have been poor and their defeat away to Greenfuel on Saturday was consistent with the challenges they are facing in this early part of the season.
Chiragwi believes that his charges have moments in which they are losing concentration and this is resulting in the punishment they are getting.
He, however, believes they will soon start winning matches.
“I have nothing to take away from the games that they (players) are playing, you can see that they want the points but, in some few moments, they mentally drift away from the game.
“The opponents make use of the chances they create, while we fluff ours.
“We need to introspect on the psychological aspect,” said Chiragwi.
The 2023 Castle Lager Coach of the Year believes his young squad returned from the off-season under pressure to defend their title.
“We are not in a very good situation but still in with a chance of making it into the championship race again.
“I have faith in the boys because I know what they are capable of doing.
“We had the same scenario last season yet we went on to win the championship. We are still in a good position hence I do not want to pressure the boys, “ he said.
When Chiragwi was handed a three-year contract in 2022, following the departure of Rodwell Dhlakama, his mandate was to build a squad that would win the Premiership title in 2025.
He won it in 2023 but there are some who believe it was a fluke achievement.
“I have learnt to live with it. Maybe, I was never meant to be celebrated because all I know is persecution and criticism.
“I would have left around that time but I have a deep passion that drives me to an extent that I often have to smile, even in the faces of my critics, just for my boys to flourish.
“Generally that is what football is all about. You stand for what you love and fight for it. We are doing everything that we can so that, soon, we will get back on our feet.”
Chiragwi’s April fixtures
13 April: v Highlanders (Baobab)
21 April: v Hwange (Colliery)
24 April: v Yadah (Baobab)
28 April: v Dynamos (Rufaro)
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