Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MANICA Diamonds’ seven-year stay in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is hanging by a thread as the club fight to turnaround a faltering campaign in the remaining games of the season.
The Gem Boys, who narrowly escaped relegation last year, are enduring their worst run since gaining promotion in 2019 and now find themselves firmly entrenched in the drop zone.
After 19 rounds of action, Manica Diamonds are among four teams locked in a fierce relegation battle alongside basement side Triangle, newcomers AGAMA and TelOne.
The Mutare-based outfit sit second from bottom with just 13 points, six adrift of safety with 15 rounds left to salvage their top-flight status.
However, newly-appointed executive chairman Tinashe Chipunza has struck a note of optimism, insisting the incoming leadership is working around the clock to steady the ship.
“When we came in, the club was facing a lot of challenges. But the immediate task right now is to try and stabilise the ship,” said Chipunza.
“We need to make sure that we survive relegation. As people from Manicaland, we want top-flight football to be played in Mutare because every time the big teams roll into the city, it always brings life to the community. So, that is the biggest motivation.”
Chipunza, however, acknowledged the low morale in the camp, largely stemming from outstanding dues inherited from the previous administration.
“We are addressing that challenge. We have partners, and sponsorship is coming,” said Chipunza.
The Gem Boys have huge mountains to climb after winning only two of their 19 matches while drawing seven and losing 10.
The club’s struggles were compounded by budget cuts under former owners, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company. Now under new ownership led by gold miner and politician Evans Kamombo, there is renewed emphasis on rebuilding the institution.
The Kamombo-led executive has prioritised professionalism, accountability and long-term competitiveness, but results will be needed quickly to back those ambitions.
Manica Diamonds face a stern test in their next assignment when they take on high-riding champions Scottland at Rufaro Stadium on Friday.
“Of course, Scottland have big names, but I believe we also have a good mixture in our side. We are a side in transition, but we remain confident that results will start coming.
“There are still some outstanding issues in our team, but we are doing our best to psyche up the boys. We have seasoned players, and we are coming to play football on Friday,” said Chipunza.
Manica Diamonds last won a league match on May 16 when they beat fellow relegation candidates TelOne 2-1. The victory coincided with the period the new executive came in. But they went on to draw four and lose two.
Chipunza said they are also looking to open their purse during the mid-season transfer window to beef up their squad for the final phase of the campaign.
Fixtures:
Friday: Scottland v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro)
Saturday: Simba Bhora v TelOne (Wadzanayi), Chicken Inn v Hardrock (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum Stars v FC Hunters (Mandava), MWOS v Highlanders (Ngoni), CAPS United v Triangle (Rufaro)
Sunday: AGAMA v Herentals (Wadzanayi), Dynamos v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro)
