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YOUTHFUL coach Takesure Chiragwi, who has been thrust into the hot seat at Flame Lily and will take charge of the club’s remaining five matches, believes the Premiership novices can win their fight against relegation. They host champions Dynamos at Larfarge. Flame Lily are fourth from bottom with 23 points.
Last week the Premiership side reassigned coach Backlyfield Chivenga to the post of head of development at the club. Chivenga was in charge of 11 matches and was assisted by Chiragwi and Marlon Jani.
Yesterday, Chiragwi thanked the club’s leadership for showing faith in him. “I would like to thank the executive for having confidence in me and I am hoping for the best,” the former CAPS United defender said.
“Football is my life and I hope the journey starts here.” Chiragwi previously worked with DC Academy as manager of the ambitious project run by former Zimbabwe international Dickson Choto.
He will be assisted at Flame Lily by Jani.
“The battle (against relegation) is still on and we still have to fight and we are looking at one game at a time,” said Chiragwi.
“We are playing Dynamos at the weekend and we are not treating the match differently, but just like any other games we have played.
“We just believe the better team will win as they are fighting for the championship and we are also fighting relegation and we both have something to play for.”
The former Shooting Stars and Blue Rangers man will also draw some confidence from the way he inspired his team to an impressive 3-0 win over Triangle at Gibbo in his team’s last fixture.
Dynamos manager, Richard Chihoro, said they return from the short break a rejuvenated lot and have put behind them the disappointment of the points they dropped against Harare City.
“We are looking forward to collecting 11 points in the remaining matches and we will still be in the race,” said Chihoro.
“The break was a blessing in disguise for us as the players who had knocks were able to recover.
“Augustine Mbara and Artwell Mukandi are back in training and have begun light training, but will not be considered for this match.
“Kudzanai Nyakasaka is now fully fit and is training with the rest of the squad,” said Chihoro.
He said they will fight until the very end.
“We are concerned about Flame Lily. They are fighting relegation and are seen as a ‘small team’ but, as Dynamos, such matches are the trickiest for us,” said Chihoro.
“So we are approaching this match with great caution.”
The team resumed training on Monday after an inactive weekend as the Premiership clubs paved way for the Warriors’ CHAN qualifier against Lesotho.
Fixtures
Saturday: Tsholotsho FC v Whawha (White City); Harare City v How Mine (Rufaro); Flame Lily v Dynamos ( Lafarge).
Sunday: Dongo Sawmill v ZPC Kariba (Vengere); Buffaloes v Hwange (Sakubva);
Wednesday : Chapungu v Highlanders (Ascot ); Chicken Inn v FC Platinum ( Luveve).
Online Reporter