Greenfuel’s failed experiment

Veronica Gwaze

Sports Reporter

CASTLE Lager Premiership side Greenfuel’s silence on their team’s gradual drop into the league’s ‘danger zone’ could as well be exposing the Ethanol miners’ failed experiment.

For a team that fired their coach just eight games into the season, purportedly for poor results, their fortunes would have turned around by now.

The Chisumbanje based side parted ways with Rodwell Dhlakama.

Yet it seems to be getting worse for them with the club choosing to remain mum as they sink into the league’s dangerous zone.

The revered mentor was reportedly ‘forced’ to sign a four-games ultimatum from which he had to pick at least nine points.

However, Dhlakama who had saved the team from relegation in 2022 opted not to commit to the arrangement hence he resigned.

Dhlakama left together with his assistant coach, Darlington Dodo before later joining Hwange.

At the time of his departure, the team had played eight games and recorded two wins, three draws and three defeats, leaving the side in position 12 with nine points. 

At that stage, the Ethanol Boys were just six points behind log leaders Highlanders.

Former Bikita Minerals gaffer Saul Chaminuka was then roped in to take over the hot seat.

However, things seem to be tougher for the low-veld team who currently find themselves close to relegation.

“We are treading dangerously and something needs to be done otherwise we could find ourselves deep in a dangerous position,” said an executive member this week.

“I believe we were too quick to let go the former coach, I am not discrediting Chaminuka but I think Dhlakama’s issues were a bit complex and we took a hasty decision.”

Zimpapers Sport understands that the gaffer was in fact forced to resign due to corruption issues.

For some time, he was unaware that he was being investigated after some players lodged complaints, accusing him of operating on a ‘play as you pay’ basis.

While Greenfuel failed to find solid evidence against the gaffer, the two parties opted to part ways under the pretext of ‘poor results’.

Currently the team, after openly declaring that they are aiming for a top six finish to their season, are deep in the bottom half of the log table.

From their last three outings, they have picked a paltry two points from a 2-all draw and goalless stalemate against CAPS United and Chicken Inn.

In-between, they fell 2-1 to Herentals.

They sit on position 14 on the log with 28 points, just three above relegation haunted TelOne, who are 15th placed.

Greenfuel were also booted out of the Chibuku Cup tournament by Bulawayo giants, Highlanders following a 3-0 defeat at Barbourfields.

“We are counting down to the end of the season so the pressure is now on moving away from the danger zone,” he said.

“There is a need for us to find a quick solution to our problem which is largely a lack of consistency.

“We are not panicking though, remember last season we survived when most people had ruled us out so I am confident we are not going anywhere.”