Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
TOMORROW (Saturday) will see whether experience shall prevail over determination when Eastern Region top-flight teams, Manica Diamonds and GreenFuel FC clash in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League MatchDay 28 fixture.
The outcome will significantly impact the 2025 season’s relegation matrix.
The encounter comes at a critical juncture, as visiting GreenFuel FC, seek their maiden top-flight league victory over Manica Diamonds, having previously only managed draws or losses against their opponents.
Despite being well-financed, both teams are battling relegation.
Manica Diamonds, under the leadership of coach, Tafadzwa Mashiri, who replaced Jairos Tapera, is navigating uncharted territory in his coaching career. Nevertheless, Mashiri remains resolute in his quest to save the Gem Boys from relegation. In contrast, seasoned coach, Rodwell Dhlakama, will lead GreenFuel FC into a must-win encounter, crucial for the Ethanol Boys’ hopes of competing in the domestic Premiership next season.
This fixture, tricky as it is for both teams, could not have come at a better time as the two teams are fighting relegation and need nothing less than three points.
Dhlakama said he is taking the encounter just like any other that they have played so far, but he remains mindful of the importance of getting maximum points.
“We are aware that we are in the relegation zone, and we badly need to get maximum points in every match that we are playing. This one is no exception. We are approaching it like any other match we have played so far in the season.
However, we are mindful of the need to do all that we can so that we collect maximum points,” he said. Though GreenFuel FC have not collected maximum points against Manica Diamonds since their promotion into the Castle Lager Premier League, their coach, Dhlakama, believes that there is always a first time in everything, including beating Manica Diamonds in their own backyard.
“Yes, we are aware that we have not beaten Manica Diamonds before since joining the top-flight league, but that does not mean it cannot be achieved this time around. There is always a first time in everything. I am confident that we will get the result we are looking for,” said Dhlakama. Mashiri fully understands the importance of getting maximum points in tomorrow’s match.
He is aiming at having an early lead in the encounter as a way to unsettle the opponents, and hopefully post a positive result.
“It is a very key match in our campaign in that both teams are in the relegation matrix. We desperately need a positive result in order to gain some ground on the points tally. Our application will be key, we need to have a strong start to the match and settle early and ease the pressure,” said Mashiri.
Mathew Masinge