adminBuffaloes in a huff. )
As Chaminuka left Mutare heading to the capital, he is set to be replaced by Luke Masomere, who seems to have made up his mind to dump Shabanie Mine.
While Masomere has still not been formally unveiled as the Buffaloes coach, CAPS United wasted no time in making changes to their coaching department following Chaminuka’s arrival.
The former Eagles and Buffaloes coach joins the Green Machine as assistant coach and will work under Taurai Mangwiro while former midfielder Albert Mabika has been reassigned to work with the junior teams.
Brenna Msiska, who took charge of CAPS United while Mangwiro was serving a ban over the Asiagate scam remains in the technical set up as the goalkeepers’ coach.
In confirming the arrival of Chaminuka at his club, CAPS United chief executive Joe Makuvire squashed all speculation on social media platforms that former coach Lloyd Chitembwe was set to be re-engaged.
“We have restructured our technical department as we bring in Saul (Chaminuka) to work as the assistant coach and Brenna Msiska is the goalkeeper’s coach.
“As the executive, we had entrusted Mangwiro to choose his own assistants and Chaminuka was brought on board,” said Makuvire.
Makuvire said the club’s executive have given Mangwiro and his team a target to achieve before their contracts could be reviewed for next season.
“The technical team has been given contracts based on their performance. We expect a top four finish at the end of the season or even the championship.
“So the basis to review their contracts will come from their performance.
“I think we have created stability at the club and the environment is now conducive for players to perform to the best of their abilities,” said Makuvire.
While some teams in the Premiership have taken a break this week, CAPS United are continuing with their preparations with Chaminuka likely to be introduced to the players today.
Makuvire said Mangwiro and his lieutenants have been given the leeway to identify new players during the mid-season transfer period.
“It’s up to the technical team to make recommendations on the playing personnel but we want special emphasis on youngsters who should be with team in the long run.
“We think that the CAPS United brand is big and competitive enough to require a top four finish or the championship.
“For now Roy Mudembe who has been an assistant coach will be the chief scout for the team,” he said.
The nomadic Chaminuka, who this week severed ties with army side Buffaloes, said he was looking forward to adding value to the CAPS United technical department.
Chaminuka pointed out that when relations between his bosses at Buffaloes and him broke down and he decided to ship out.
“We had been failing to perform with consistency and I had worked hard for the club but certain people were not playing their part and they were watching instead of intervening when a crisis arose.
“It was very painful to make the decision to resign when people in Mutare had begun to understand our project at Buffaloes.
“The devil came at an inappropriate time for Buffaloes because I had big plans for the team which will not be fulfilled,” Chaminuka said. Chaminuka, just like Mangwiro once took charge of Masvingo United before.
“I was used to the small crowds at Buffaloes and now this is a bigger task because I also know the expectations from the CAPS United fans.”
Although neither Buffaloes nor Masomere were ready to confirm the coach’s move to the army side, The Herald has it on good authority that the outspoken gaffer has secured a switch to Mutare.
Masomere was in Mutare on Monday and is believed to have been given a contract on Tuesday.
“I am out of Shabanie at the moment but I will be sleeping in Masvingo (today) yesterday and I will be giving you the full story on Friday,” was all Masomere could say.
Buffaloes chairman Hlanganiso Matangaidze said they would hold a press conference in the Eastern border town today to announce the identity of their new coach.
“I cannot confirm or deny that Masomere is going to be our new coach. I can, however, tell you that our coach Saul (Chaminuka) resigned on Tuesday. We are, however, going to hold a press conference tomorrow (today) at 12 noon in Mutare.
“That is the only time we are going to advise who our next coach will be,’’ Matangaidze said.
Masomere had hinted last week that he was on the move and there had been speculation that he would heading for Triangle or Chicken Inn. But after guiding Shabanie to a fine 3-1 win over Buffaloes at Sakubva, it is understood that the soldiers were charmed by the asbestos miners’ second half show and were convinced Masomere could be the man to take their side to lofty heights.
Masomere joined Shabanie in 2011, and saved them from relegation on the last day of the season.
The Shabanie management yesterday professed ignorance over the coach’s resignation.
Last season he finished in the top eight before he was banned for his Asiagate dealings. Masomere has also been on record as claiming that he was not offered a contract by Shabanie Mine, an allegation the club refuted arguing that the coach was actually evasive when it came to signing a contract.
“Yesterday we had a meeting and we asked him to come and sign but he told us that he was in Masvingo. We still believe he is still our coach,” said Nephiel Rugara, the Shabanie chairman.
Online Reporter