adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
Chegutu Pirates coach Tavaka Gumbo is praying for a positive result tomorrow when they travel to Flame Lily looking for maximum points to shore up their fight for survival in the World Navi Northern Region Division One football league. Despite the big gulf between the teams on the log table, Gumbo yesterday warned Flame Lily that they should brace for a tough encounter.
Chegutu, who sit second from the bottom of the table, are coming from a morale-boosting 2-1 win against DC Academy and Gumbo believes they are a better team now.
“Definitely, we are looking for three points. They mustn’t underrate us because we are now a strong side.
“At least, we have a strong squad and we are injury-free.
“Of course, for every team playing away from home is a disadvantage but we are going to play as if we are playing at home,” said Gumbo.
Gumbo, who was with the team in the first three months of the season before he was fired for poor results, got his first win since he returned to the club under controversial circumstances last month when they beat DC Academy 2-1 in their last game.
And the Chegutu gaffer said there have been some positive changes at the club with everyone working together for the survival of the team.
“We are definitely going to survive relegation. The difference is that we are now working as a team, each and everyone is putting an effort. And that is going to go a long way,” said Gumbo.
While Gumbo has settled at the club after taking over from Gipter Raiva, the latter has said he is still at Chegutu Pirates as the decision to replace him was done without consulting him.
“What they did was very unprofessional, they were supposed to call me and state their terms and I would have decided to take it or leave it. They fired Gumbo because of poor results then I came in and the team started winning, now when things were starting to take shape they take over again.
“I have a contract that is expiring in December. If the executive didn’t want me they were supposed to do that in writing not just to meet at the ground and say this is what is there now,” said Raiva.
Joramu Chihwehwete, who is leading the supporters’ committee in charge of the team, said they were focusing on ensuring that the team survives relegation.
Online Reporter