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Tadious Manyepo–Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum have massively invested in the game since their promotion into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League six years ago.
But they only have one trophy — the Chibuku Super Cup — to show for it.
One would feel they deserve to win the league title, in a way.
Maybe they should have won that trophy, at least once over the past four seasons.
But, they keep on chopping and changing their technical department and inevitably their philosophy has been lost.
They have had six different coaches in five seasons.
And the executive says they have learnt their lessons.
They have elevated the impressive Takesure Chiragwi who, against all odds, led the Mhondoro team into a top-four finish in the league this year.
The former CAPS United left-back has been in temporary charge since late July when Benjani Mwaruwari was shown the exit door following a spate of disappointing results.
Chiragwi, who joined the club in 2019, was in his second spell as an interim coach, having also served in the same capacity early this year following the departure of his boss Rodwell Dhlakama who resigned in February.
Ngezi Platinum Stars have made it clear Chiragwi was on an audition when they appointed him in July.
And the youthful gaffer has just made the grade with the club spokesperson, Roberta Katunga, yesterday revealing the ex-Shabanie Mine coach had been elevated to head coach of the club.
“Ngezi Platinum Stars Football Club is pleased to inform all its stakeholders that the Club has appointed Takesure Chiragwi as the substantive Head Coach.
“Chiragwi, who was initially the assistant coach, took over as interim head coach following the departure of Benjani Mwaruwari in July 2022,” read the statement.
“Coach Chiragwi has been appointed following his excellent performance after being appointed interim coach wherein the team finished strongly, achieving its Top four finish objective for season 2022.
“In addition, the appointment of Chiragwi signifies the club’s commitment to develop technical skills internally and coach Chiragwi has steadily improved since joining the Club in 2019.”
Chiragwi is expected to appoint his own assistants as per the club’s policy.
The soft-spoken gaffer was undoubtedly one of the best performers in the final third of the season, winning four games and drawing as many while losing just once in the league.
He was even voted the PSL Coach of the Month for November after winning two games and outscoring his closest competitors.
The Mhondoro team have made it clear they want to win trophies next season and judging with the way Chiragwi has been executing his duties, he could just be the man to finally deliver.
Meanwhile, club founding president Stanley Segula has stepped down.
Takawira Maswiswi, who has been the vice-president in charge of commercial issues, has replaced him.
Segula is, however, not leaving the club as he begins a new role as the club’s first patron.
Online Reporter