adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City coach Taurai Mangwiro says he is not under pressure despite a sluggish start in the league campaign and believes his side will recover in the second half of the season to meet the target set for him by his bosses at Town House.
The former Masvingo United and CAPS United gaffer yesterday told a Press conference that he is not pressing the panic button following a subdued run that has left his side sitting seventh on the log standings with 23 points, halfway through the campaign.
Chicken Inn lead the race with 30 points.
Mangwiro, who is expected to present a mid-term report to his superiors tomorrow, revealed that he was given a top six target, but has so far found the season “full of surprises”, beginning with their 0-1 loss to newcomers Tsholotsho in their opening match.
Harare City have disappointingly not been unable to finish off matches after playing eight draws in 16 matches and winning only five times against the backdrop of huge expectations.
“Obviously, we would want to garner more points than what we got in the first half of the season,” said Mangwiro.
“When we started this year the target was a top six finish. That is what we agreed on and we are right on track.
“I have always challenged my colleagues to push higher than the set targets for us. As I speak right now, I believe we have a very good chance of surpassing that target.”
City survived relegation on the last day of the previous campaign, but have been under the spotlight after bringing in a number of players who included two Soccer Star of the Year finalists in Tendai Samanja and Themba Ndlovu.
They also unveiled an enlarged technical set-up comprising some of the most experienced coaches who were roped in from juniors to the senior team.
Harare City have revealed that they are working on a long-term project and the coach was given a realistic target of finishing the season in the top six.
Mangwiro said they were on the right direction and will not be active during the current transfer window.
“I want to think we got off to that slow start mainly because we were coming from different backgrounds. We had a team that was relatively new.
“From the pool that survived relegation last season we retained 20 and then brought in about 12. So, the blending hasn’t been that easy. You would want the players to understand your own philosophy.
“It’s not something like you would wake up the following day and see everything in place. It takes some time and that is why I am saying I am happy with the manner with which we have made progress. Eventually, I know we will get there,” said Mangwiro.
Harare City have drawn their last three games, including back-to-back draws with newboys Flame Lily.
They play CAPS United in their next match.
The Premiership takes a break this weekend to pave way for the national Under-23 match against neighbours South Africa in the Africa Championships at Rufaro.
Mangwiro said he will give his players rest to avoid further injuries in his camp as they have already been sweating over the availability of Nathan Ziwini, Francesco Zekumbawira, Hibron Makukutu and Talent Chawapihwa.
However, their next opponents Makepekepe will warm up to the clash with a practice match against Whawha at Baghdad tomorrow.
CAPS United spokesperson Joyce Kapota said supporters will pay $2 for the rest of the ground, while VIP tickets have been pegged at $5.
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