Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST three years ago, Eric Manokore was the crown jewel of Cranborne Bullets, a talent whose meteoric rise captivated the local scene.
Demand for his signature soared and, in a significant coup, CAPS United won a heated transfer race, securing his services amid great expectations. It’s a marriage that, however, had a bittersweet ending. But long before the bizarre penalty miss against MWOS, there were a lot of positives and promise.
Coach Lloyd Chitembwe deployed Manokore in an unorthodox role, an inverted right-back, where he was tasked with drifting centrally in possession and rapidly tracking back to defend his channel.
Initially, he performed this complex duty with aplomb and distinction, even earning the coveted club captaincy.
Yet, Manokore’s fortunes took a stunning turn for the worse. Stripped of the armband, his situation deteriorated from bad to dire. After a critical missed penalty against MWOS, he was turned into a pariah at his own club.
Despite a contract running until 2027, a hostile environment forced his exit.
Now, at FC Platinum, Manokore has featured in 11 games, starting three games against Manica Diamonds, Ngezi Platinum, and Triangle, while being introduced as a second-half substitute in eight others.
However, he has been left out of the match-day squad for the last four matches.
This dramatic, westward turn for one of the league’s most gifted talents raises an unavoidable question: Is the player once hailed as a midfield genius now a spent force, his promise fading on the bench?
“No, I am nowhere near to becoming a spent force,” Manokore said.
“In football, a lot of things happen and if you lose focus, you might fail to bounce back.”
Manokore believes joining the Zvishavane-based side has been a blessing in disguise.
“The CAPS United exit opened doors for me. Now in Zvishavane, it’s a new experience, and I’m still on my learning curve.
“I think I’m slowly adjusting well and gelling with the squad. I’m focused on working hard and being ready to play each time I’m given the opportunity.”
Manokore added: “There is a lot of competition in the team and it won’t allow one to relax but to work. I believe I still have the energy and steam to remain on top of my game for quite some years.”
As FC Platinum prepare to face ZPC Kariba in their next league match, Manokore is focused on the task at hand.
“They play with an organised line of defence. As a team, our concern will be to break them and score goals. That alone will make our job easier. Looking forward to the match,” he said.
