Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICA Diamonds coach, Patrick Mandizha, the architect of the team’s resurgent form, has vowed not to read too much into their opponents’ big profile when his club takes on Highlanders at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
The match starts at 3pm, while gates will be open as early as 12pm.
Mandizha, the former FC Platinum FC coach who won THREE Premier Soccer League titles as an assistant to the legendary Norman Mapeza, has been on the touchline as the head coach as Manica Diamonds, like a phoenix, rose from the ashes to start collecting crucial points in their recent matches.
In fact, the Gem Boys seem to have regained their luster after going for the third Castle Lager Premiership fixture on the bounce without tasting defeat when they beat Midlands outfit TelOne 2-1 at Ascot Stadium in Gweru last weekend.
The away victory, a first in the season, comes after the Gem Boys beat Agama FC 3-1 at Sakubva Stadium recently, before settling for a one-all stalemate with FC Hunters at the same venue last Wednesday.
Mandizha understand the Highlanders’ status and how it can easily affect the home team, but the former Shabanie Mine FC midfielder, said they just have to make sure that their players understand that they are in the same league with this mighty Bulawayo side.
Mandizha said: “We can never talk of football giants in Zimbabwe without mentioning Highlanders FC. Football legends such as Madhinda, Adam and Peter Ndlovu played for this great team.
“They have a massive fan base, and their vociferous supporters create an intimidating atmosphere for any team. So we have to be strong, both physically and mentally for this game.”
Given his own great playing history, when he turned out for an invincible Shabanie Mine FC, alongside legendary figures such as Francis ‘Gwejegweje’ Chandida, Max Ruza, Thomas Makwasha, Albert Mbano, Asan Juma, Misheck Banda, Misheck Makota, Philip Sithole, Benjamin Pedzisai, Briton Pamhirwa, John Banda, Gerald Phiri, John Phiri, Gibson Manjonda, and Mike Bingadhadi, Mandizha knows how to psyche his players.
He admitted that playing at Sakubva Stadium has restored lost confidence for the players.
“Our first 10 games were practically all ‘away matches’ because we were playing our homes games at Gibbo Stadium (Triangle) and the GreenFuel Arena (Chisumbanje).
“But the new club president, Evans Kamombo, facilitated the use of Sakubva Stadium, a move which I believe has boosted the players’ confidence and transformed the team’s fortunes. There is no more travelling fatigue and playing under unfamiliar surroundings. It is a plus for us,” said Mandizha.
On his clubs’ prospects of successfully fighting relegation, Mandizha said his team can only work very hard and leave everything to the heavens.
“We shall keep on working hard, and everything else we leave it to the Almighty God. I can foresee a photo finish in the relegation battle this year because most teams are well resourced, competitive and have balanced squads,” he said.
On the other hand, Highlanders seem to be a pale shadow of the feared iBosso iBosso of olden days, no wonder why current coach, Benjani Mwaruwari is pleading for patience from its hard to please fans.
At a recent Presser in Bulawayo, Mwaruwari asked the club faithful to have faith in them.
“I am trying my best with my technical team. We have about 21 or 22, I am not sure, matches left before the end of the season, so a lot of things can change or happen. Hopefully the situation will change for the better,” said Mwaruwari.
Online Reporter