Chronicle Editor
Ray Bande in Mutare
Manica Diamonds 0-0 Herentals
MANICA Diamonds have gone for nine matches without scoring a goal, and it was the same old script at the end of yesterday’s goalless Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Herentals at Sakubva.
The club is now a pale shadow of the team that gave so much promise two months ago.
The Mutare diamond miners have not only forgotten how to score but also how it actually feels to win a topflight league encounter.
Coach Jairos Tapera acknowledged that his team desperately needs to start scoring goals.
“We are doing everything we should, from defending well and passing the ball upfront but goals have remained elusive. We are equally worried as coaches and my players are also worried. We desperately need to start to score goals,” said the former Warriors caretaker coach.
Their problems were compounded by a clearly jittery referee, Israel Nhevera.
Nhevera was a bundle of nerves from the first whistle as he clearly failed to stamp authority in the lukewarm encounter.
Nhevera delayed kick off of the encounter by two minutes after he had forgotten his whistle in the changing rooms.
Herentals coach Celestine Benza was elated with the away point.
“It is not easy to get a point away from home, especially when playing a good side like Manica Diamonds. We are happy with the point gained and we hope to get into our next match with confidence to get maximum points,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu