admin
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
MANICA Diamonds coach, Jairos Tapera, had the opportunity to choose the players he wanted to work with this season, unlike his GreenFuel counterpart – Bekithemba Ndlovu – who inherited a squad that was assembled by someone else who had his own plans.
This will be a major talking point ahead of the Manicaland Derby that will feature Manica Diamonds and GreenFuel FC tomorrow (Friday) at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle.
In itself, it places Manica Diamonds in a better position to win the provincial top-flight football derby.
In the three rounds of league matches played so far in the 2023 Castle Lager Premiership season, Manica Diamonds have been the better side, at least judging by the results.
Added to that, numbers don’t lie! The Gem Boys have collected two points, a point ahead of their Lowveld counterparts who have only salvaged a single point from the match against Herentals FC.
This is living and undeniable testimony that Manica Diamonds have a better team on paper compared to GreenFuel and Friday’s result should reflect just that.
No wonder Manica Diamonds chairman, Masimba Chihowa is of the opinion that Friday will see his team collecting maximum points for the first time this season.“I think this will be the first time that Manica Diamonds will be collecting maximum points. We just have to start picking up maximum points if we are to attain our targets this season as a club.
“Yes, it will not be a stroll in the park, but somehow we just have to grind a result. The coaches and the players are, not only aware of that, but they are well motivated to achieve that,” said Chihowa.
The abrupt technical changes that took place in the GreenFuel camp will have a telling effect on their campaign and this is one match that will prove the lack of unison between the new coach, Ndlovu and the players.
Even though GreenFuel boss, Fredson Moyo begs to differ, the players, who could be allegiant to the now technical director, Lloyd Mutasa who brought them to the club prior to Ndlovu’s sudden appointment, might not give their all on the field of play.
“Reshuffling of the technical team is positive for the club. As much as it is everyone’s expectations that reshuffling must bring you immediate results, the GreenFuel Football Club Board is fully behind the new coach.
“We know that once the players adapt to the coach’s technical coaching methods, we will be the most difficult team to beat in the PSL. We are new in the league and we are adapting and building a team, which is a process.
“It is not easy to get quick wins especially in the domestic Premier League. We are very patient and determined to get the desired results and get things right,” said the GreenFuel chairman.
“We have only played three matches out of 34 fixtures, so a lot will change. Phases come and go, so it is too early to judge us on three matches. We will talk of a bad spell, rough patch and unlucky when we surpass the season’s half way mark. Currently, we are sitting way below our expectations, but we will surely bounce back.”
Online Reporter