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Grace Chingoma
Senior Sports Reporter
MANICA Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera has lamented the continuous travelling by his team for both home and away matches which he claimed was consuming much of their training time.
The Mutare side currently is homeless after their Sakubva Stadium failed to meet the required standards to host Premier Soccer League games.
They are currently playing their home games at Gibbo in Triangle which is about 350km away. And the team has to make a trip of about 700km, to and from Gibbo, in the week they are supposed to be playing at home.
Last week, Manica Diamonds made the trip to Harare which is about 260km to play against Herentals last Friday.
And this weekend they travel to Gibbo as the visiting team against Green Fuel on Good Friday.
Manica Diamonds find themselves in this same predicament together with other teams such as Hwange, Simba Bhora, Sheasham and Green Fuel. Their home grounds have not been certified yet by the ZIFA Grounds Committee.
However, for teams like Hwange, Manica Diamonds and ZPC Kariba, the journey is a bit longer to travel to the adopted home ground.
Luckily for Colliery stadium, Bata stadium and Wadzanai, renovations are ongoing. Once completed, the stadiums will be inspected again and may be certified to host league matches this first half of the season.
Manica Diamonds have started slowly this season and are yet to pick maximum points. So far they have two points from three outings.
Speaking after another draw against Herentals at the National Sports Stadium last Friday, veteran gaffer Tapera said distance was affecting their preparations.
“You know how we travel; next week we travel to Triangle about 350km again. We are actually being limited in terms of the days we prepare,” said Tapera.
However, the coach said he was not using it as an excuse.
“But we can’t cry over that, we can’t change anything, we have to work and make sure we get the three points. I think we are close to that now,” said Tapera.
Sakubva Stadium renovations are not expected to be completed anytime soon as Mutare City Council have outlined their process that requires a tender procedure to secure new lawn and refurbish the drainage system before they invite the inspection for re-inspection.
However, there is a ray of hope amid reports that Mutare businessman Isau Mupfumi has promised to chip in to assist in the renovations of Sakubva. He was expected to meet with the Council officials this week on the matter.
So for now the Ngoda Boys have to contend with making the long trips to Triangle for their league matches.
Manica Diamonds have a strong squad on paper and a lot is expected from the team.
After losing out to CAPS United in the Castle Lager Premiership opening match, Tapera’s troops managed a 1-1 draw at home against Triangle before they settled for another draw against Herentals last week.
They allowed the hosts to cancel a first half wonder goal by their skipper Liberty Chakoroma.
They face newboys Green Fuel, who are also win-less, in their next match. Green Fuel were hammered 3-0 by Hwange on Sunday. Before that, the Chisumbanje side had managed a 1-1 draw against Herentals at Gibbo and in their opening game they lost 1-0 to Yadah.
The Premiership debutantes said it is too early to press the panic button and believes they will pick up.
Fixtures
Thursday: Yadah v Simba Bhora (National Sports Stadium).
Friday: Black Rhinos v CAPS United (National Sports Stadium), Ngezi Platinum v Herentals (Baobab), FC Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs (Mandava), Green Fuel v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields).
Saturday: Hwange v Sheasham (Luveve).
Sunday: ZPC Kariba v Triangle (National Sports Stadium).
Monday: Dynamos v Cranborne Bullets (National Sports Stadium).
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