Sundaymail Editor
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Herbert “JOMPANO” Maruwa may have endured an ignominious exit at Premiership giants Dynamos, but his star is shining, with the youthful mentor being named the inaugural Allied Insurance Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) Coach of the Month for April.
Maruwa has got off to a flying start with Harare City, guiding the Sunshine Boys to six wins from as many assignments so far in the 2024 Division One marathon.
His midfielder Crybet Muvhuti and Trojan Stars shot-stopper Learnmore Muzarurwi are the LM Auctioneers Player of the Month and Goalkeeper of the Month, respectively.
Golden Eagles’ Congolese import Lima Ndeke is the Break Front Car Hire Top Scorer of the Month under review, with his terrific form yielding five goals from as many matches.
Each of the awards carries a US$200 cheque.
But there is no doubt the NRSL’s man of the moment is Maruwa.
The ex-Back Rhinos coach had an unhappy exit when he was sacked in August last year by Dynamos, where he had to win all the five matches the team were facing.
His tenure at Dynamos effectively ended when the Harare team, who were then using Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo as their home ground, drew against Hwange in the first of the five-match ultimatum.
An ugly public spat that sucked in former Dynamos vice chairperson Vincent Chawonza then ensued, with the coach being accused of dabbling in juju to try and win games.
Maruwa spent the remainder of the year clubless before joining Harare City at the start of the year.
And he has been having some fun in the sun with the Sunshine Boys, who are one of the two sides still to taste defeat in the league, along with seventh-placed Banket United.
Harare City sent a strong message of their title aspirations when they overcame Herentals Under-20 in a top-of-the-table clash at Motor Action Sports Club on Friday.
An 18th-minute strike by Lincoln Madzingaidzo settled matters and helped Maruwa’s men to open a five-point lead on the log standings.
Harare City also received further breathing space at the top after Denver Mukamba and Lincoln Zvasiya’s ambitious Scottland slumped to their second defeat when losing 1-0 to unpredictable PAM at Heart Stadium.
Scottland are now six points behind Harare City.
Maruwa believes their strong start will add some pressure to his charges “as we have become the team to beat”.
But he feels that if his side stays grounded and focused, they could achieve their bid to return to the Premiership, from where they were demoted in 2022.
“The boys are working very hard. Most of them are still young and they want to make their names in football,” Maruwa said.
“The competition is very tight; there are no small teams in the league.”
He said he was excited to win the Coach of the Month accolade.
“I am happy with the award; it always motivates us as coaches to work extra hard,” he said. “Winning six games on the trot is encouraging. We need to keep on working hard as a team. It means a lot for the Harare City family.
“The boys are working hard and it is paying off. We need to remain focused. The players must work even harder and play as a team. We have a balanced team, which I think will compete.”
Maruwa said competition in the division was tight.
Results:
Yesterday:
Black Rhinos 2-0 Cranborne Bullets
Ngezi U19 1-0 Karoi United
Black Mambas 1-0 Chinhoyi Stars
MWOS 4-0 Shamva Mine
Golden Eagles 2-1 Zambezi G & C
CC Mhangura 0-2 Trojan Stars
Friday:
Herentals U20 0-1 Harare City
Norton Community 4-0 DZ Royal Stars
Scottland 0-1 PAM FC
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