Chegutu Pirates hire new coach

Innocent Muchochomi in Chegutu

IN their bid to avoid relegation and stay in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Chegutu Pirates Football Club has hired veteran coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe.

Pirates chairman Addmore Pikisayi Chivero said bringing the former Caps United and Yadah FC coach was a strategic move aimed at ensuring the team’s survival in the PSL.

Chivero said the decision to enlist the highly experienced gaffer was driven by the team’s technical shortcomings.

He said Jongwe was expected to lead the Pirates out of the relegation zone.

“We have been lacking somewhere, so we thought of trying our luck with a new coach in our fight for survival in the PSL,” said Chivero.

He said the Pirates mutually agreed to part ways with Day Gutu.

“I have a lot of respect for what Gutu did for the club. He did well and tried his best. He is also worried about the survival of the team, and I think we will be with him somewhere down the line,” said Chivero.

At his unveiling at Chegutu Country Club, Jongwe pledged to do his best to rescue the Pirates from the treacherous relegation zone.

“I will do my best to bail out the Pirates, and I believe they have the right ammunition to fight and remain afloat in the PSL,” he said. “I wouldn’t have accepted the position if I didn’t have confidence in the team.”

Pirates lie second from bottom (17) on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log standings with 19 points from 23 matches.

Jongwe joins the team at a critical stage in their campaign as they face his former team Yadah at Baobab Stadium on Sunday.