Coach admits it’s not easy to save Hardbody from relegation

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
AFTER just one season in the Premiership, Hardbody looks set to return to Division One and their coach Godfrey Tamirepi has conceded that he has failed to accomplish his mission of saving the team from the chop.
A 2-0 defeat to Highlanders at Ascot on Sunday sent the Gweru side closer to relegation as they remained on 23 points and one place above bottom-placed Quelaton who are already relegated.
Watosvorwa, as Hardbody are known, fell to goals from Mthulisi Maphosa and Cleopas Dube in the first half.
There are two more rounds of matches but Tamirepi believes they now need more than a miracle to survive.
Hardbody have to play Black Mambas, who are also desperate for maximum points, in their desperate battle for survival.
Police side Mambas are just one place above the drop zone and are tied on 28 points with Gunners who are in the red zone.
Hardbody will complete their season with a match against Dynamos at Ascot.
“Mathematically, we still have a chance but in reality it’s all gone. On hypothesis, there is a chance that we can survive but that is not easy now. We need to get maximum points and can only finish on 28 points,” said Tamirepi.
The former Ziscosteel gaffer was appointed coach at Hardbody in July after the side parted ways with Tavaka Gumbo.
By the time Tamirepi came on board, the team was struggling.
“It’s expecting too much that we have to go above Gunners and Hwange who have better chances unless  something terrible can happen to the teams above so that we can get six points while they fail,” said Tamirepi.
“I have failed to save the team from relegation.
“At the same time I did not make the team get demoted.
“I came when the situation was not looking so good but I failed in my mission to help the team,” he said.
The coach said he was ready to stay with team in Division One.
“We played very well against Highlanders but we failed to get the goals.
“Everything was perfect for us on Sunday and I do not have any complaints against the match officials and we lost fair and square.
“In football, goals are crucial and not the performance at the end of the day,” he said.
Another relegation-threatened side, Blue Rangers, said they are not giving up yet.
Rangers drew 1-1 with Shabanie on Sunday and their assistant coach Gary Mukangairwa says the fight is still on.
“They are still six points to play for and we have to put our house in order.
“Hopefully, we will win our last two matches and it’s not going to be an easy thing,” he said.