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Ray Bande in Mutare
Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Bikita Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
MANICA Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera has conceded that their chances of claiming a maiden Castle Lager Premiership championship title are now becoming feint.
Tapera made the admission after agonisingly watching his Gem Boys settle for a morale-sapping draw against strugglers Bikita Minerals at Sakubva yesterday.
Manica Diamonds who hit a mid-season slump and needlessly dropped points are now 12 behind log leaders Simba Bhora with five matches before the curtain comes down on the 2024 season. Given that Simba Bhora appears in relentless form, fourth-placed Manica Diamonds who have 43 points, have a tall order in trying to sneak into pole position.
Their inconsistency is also a cause for concern for Tapera.
“Yes, it is now tricky for us to challenge for the Castle Lager Premiership title given our form and the number of remaining matches before the season ends.
“We have been performing badly and it was clear from the last match that we played last week against ZPC Kariba that it will not be easy for us to keep gunning for the title,” Tapera said.
Those, who did not attend the match at Sakubva stadium pitting the two Eastern Region teams did not miss anything as the drab encounter was yet another testimony of the plummeting standards of the domestic top-flight league.
Bikita Minerals coach Arnold Jani praised his players for holding on until the final whistle.
Jani said his team is geared to maintain their place in the top-flight league.
Online Reporter