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Lawrence Moyo
Head Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE appointment of a substantive coach for the senior national team early this week might turn out to be a timely intervention for former Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders, Manica Diamonds.
Manica Diamonds have NOT won a match since the appointment of their head coach, Jairos Tapera as interim Warriors coach following an impressive run in the domestic Premiership.
The Zifa Normalisation Committee announced the appointment of Tapera as interim Warriors coach on May 24 as the domestic Premiership entered Match Day 14.
In Manica Diamonds’ last match before Tapera assumed the Warriors role, they hosted Hwange at Sakubva and won 1-0 on May 26 for their ninth win in 10 matches.
They had gone on an eight-match winning streak, which started with a 1-0 win at home to Chicken Inn on April 7 and ended on Match Day 13 when they drew 1-1 away to Highlanders at Barbourfields on May 23.
With the win over Hwange, Manica Diamonds stayed top of the league, while Tapera assumed his Warriors role after the match.
However, that was the last time Manica Diamonds won a league match and it was also the last time they were top of the league standings.
FC Platinum have since taken over and currently enjoy a two-point lead over Simba Bhora after 21 matches, while Manica Diamonds have slumped to fourth place, seven points behind the leaders, following a seven-match winless run that started on June 15 when they drew 1-1 with Yadah in Harare.
In the seven matches that were played between the day Tapera started Warriors duties and the appointment of a substantive coach early this week, Manica Diamonds are the ONLY team without victory.
Their record includes six draws against Yadah (1-1 away), Dynamos (0-0 home), Bulawayo Chiefs (0-0 away), TelOne (0-0 home), Chegutu Pirates (0-0 home) and Ngezi Platinum (0-0 home) together with a defeat (0-1) away to Simba Bhora.
Manica Diamonds have scored ZERO goals in their last six matches and the last time they scored was in the 1-1 draw against Yadah at the Heart Stadium on June 15.
Only one team, Bulawayo Chiefs, collected less points over the period as they managed five from one win and two draws.
Statistically, Manica Diamonds have been the MOST BORING side in the Castle Lager Premiership over the seven-match period as only three goals were scored in the two matches against Yadah and Simba Bhora while the other five had nothing.
In contrast, Simba Bhora, who have the best record over the seven-match period, have been involved in 15 goals of which 11 have been theirs.
Defending champions Ngezi Platinum had the second best record with 15 points from four victories and three draws, while they are the only team unbeaten between Match Day 15 and Match Day 21.
Leaders FC Platinum had the third best run over the last seven match days as they collected 14 points from four wins, two draws and a defeat while Yadah have the fourth best record with 12 points via three wins and three draws.
Online Reporter