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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
MANICA Diamonds chairman Masimba Chihowa says the club had to do a lot of soul-searching before discovering a solution that turned around their woes into a six-match winning run.
The Mutare-based outfit was anchoring the log table, with a single point after the opening four games only a month ago, and now they are sitting jointly at the top with giants Highlanders.
Things could have easily gone wrong for Manica Diamonds had they continued with the bad start. Their coach Jairos Tapera could also have been history by now. But last Friday Tapera was announced as the PSL Coach of the Month for April.
The club’s chairman Chihowa told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the leadership refused to bow to pressure to have the coach fired during the gloomy period and their patience is now paying dividends.
“When the season started, things did not go well for us, but the good thing is we didn’t allow the pressure to force us to act irrationally.
“You see, it doesn’t always work well to start panicking and throwing everything around the room and pointing fingers at one another.
“At times it is wise to interrogate the whole system to find out the real source of the problem. That is what we did.
“I think some of the players just had a slow start. It’s understandable because these guys were coming from the off-season. We also had new guys and they may not have settled well into the coach’s training methods and playing philosophy.
“So, we had to work with the coach and the players. We reminded the players of the demands stated in their contracts.
“In business, results are demanded, the same as in sport because there are contracts. Everyone embraced the message positively and I think that is why we are getting the results now,” said Chihowa.
The Gem Boys have won six consecutive matches, beginning with the 1-0 away win at champions Ngezi Platinum Stars, which was followed by victories over Chicken Inn, Herentals, CAPS United, Arenel Movers, FC Platinum and ZPC Kariba.
From a single point in week four, they are now on 19 points. They will be at home this weekend to welcome newboys Bikita Minerals at Sakubva on Sunday.
“We were always behind the coach even when the results were not coming. We supported him in every possible manner. He had given us his programme and we could see where he wanted to go with the team. But because of competition, it is not always easy.
“The marathon is still long, though, and we have to continue taking it game by game. Of course, we want positive results week in and week out but every game that we play is different,” said Chihowa.
Gem Boys coach Tapera saluted his players for the turnaround. He is looking forward to consistent performances going forward.
“I credit my boys for the work they are doing to help me as their coach. It’s for all of them. I am proud of them, and I salute their work ethic.
“Football is about teamwork and application of set scenarios. That’s why I will always talk about my boys doing wonders for the team.
“We are in really good form as a team having been magnificent last month. But I tell you, we need to retain the consistency and continue to show the hunger.”
Fixtures
Saturday: GreenFuel v ZPC Kariba (GreenFuel Arena), Yadah v CAPS United (Rufaro), Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Luveve), Simba Bhora v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Wadzanayi),
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v Bikita Minerals (Sakubva), Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barbourfields), Hwange v Arenel Movers (Colliery), Dynamos v Herentals (Rufaro), TelOne v Chegutu Pirates (Bata)
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