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THE 2022 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season is just five games away from conclusion, and with the title race and relegation dogfight shaped, a lot of talking points have been generated over the course of the marathon.
From reigning champions, FC Platinum being firmly on course to retaining their title to underdogs enduring a largely underwhelming season, the firing and hiring of coaches by clubs dominated the domestic game’s discourse.
Close to half of the 18 teams in the league have shown their coaches the exit door.
Rodwell Dhlakama (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Benjani Mwaruwari (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Mandla Mpofu (Highlanders), Herbert Maruwa (Black Rhinos), Godfrey Tamirepi (ZPC Kariba), Philani Ncube (Bulawayo City) and Johanisi Nhumwa (Manica Diamonds) could not last the distance as they were released from their roles as coaches of their respective clubs.
Mutare-based Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services outfit, Tenax also served up some locker room drama when an upheaval rocked their technical department.
Head coach, Shadreck Mugurasave left in a huff after disagreeing over assistant coach, Blessing Madombi’s return into the fold before making an abrupt U-turn.
Youthful gaffer, Isaac Nengomasha held fort during that period and was in charge of contests against giants Highlanders and Dynamos.
At DeMbare, Tonderai Ndiraya has come under severe scrutiny and there is immense pressure on him to deliver.
He is living on borrowed time.
At the beginning of this week, the Gem Boys severed ties with Nhumwa, reportedly by mutual consent as positive results became elusive.
The chain of events that triggered the coach’s ejection had seen the diamond miners tumble from the apex of log standings to a distant 10th position.
As an assistant to his predecessor, Luke Masomere, Nhumwa had been elevated to be the first-in-command when the former Masvingo United, AmaZulu and Dynamos coach was expelled.
Manica Diamonds have since hired Jairos Tapera who was coaching Triangle to superintend the remainder of the season.
With virtually nothing to salvage from their underwhelming campaign, the Manica Diamonds hierarchy indicated that they already have one eye on preparing for the forthcoming season.
The Gem Boys’ target this term was to improve on last season’s fifth place finish.
In football, it has almost become second nature that coaches get in the line of firing each time results do not go their clubs’ ways.
It will, therefore, come across as abnormal or an anomaly if a season goes by without a coach biting the dust or falling by the wayside.
Hardly any have left on their volition or through resignations.
But what prompts trigger-happy club executives to fire coaches?
Are some of the sackings justified?
Does this not rock the boat and upset the rhythm in the team?
Just how much is enough time for a coach to start getting things right?
Understandably, occupying a gaffer’s role is results-oriented and survival hinges on the silverware they win.
Achieving outlined goals, therefore, determines their success or lack thereof.
It set targets are not met, it then becomes an issue.
This inevitably makes the job a hot seat as trainers are fired at the slightest hint of trouble.
At the end, most gaffers are left with very little or no credit in their coaching bank accounts.
Then comes another hot potato.
The coaches are recycled as they hop from one job to another in the same league. We have also had cases of clubs that reunited with coaches they would have previously fired.
There is a reason, therefore, reigning champions, FC Platinum, who already have one hand on the championship, have enjoyed relative stability and success under coach Norman Mapeza.
The Zvishavane side are primed for a fourth title on the trot.
Continuity has been key for them.
Hiring and firing coaches sometimes work and also backfires in equal measure but it all comes down to whether clubs make the smart decisions and time them to perfection.
Online Reporter