Online Reporter
Tendai Chara
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SANYATI-based outfit Marere have given their coach, Beknown Mhlaingena, a one-game ultimatum as they seek to move from the foot of the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League log table.
The debutants have found the going tough in this demanding league, and Mhlaingena has been made the fall guy.
Now he must win his next assignment or face the chop.
Although he boasts of some Division One football coaching experience, having worked at such clubs like Kwekwe United, Karoi United, and the now defunct Dorking and Zimasco, Mhlaingeni has endured a frustrating stint at Marere.
In his nine matches to date, he has managed a single win among other clubs.
However, his stint at Marere appears to have gone off the rails.
In nine matches, Mhlaingena has steered his team to a single victory, three draws and five losses.
Goals have also been goal-shy, just managing only five goals from those nine matches.
The team’s defence is equally incompetent, conceding 10 goals.
As a result of such incompetency, the team has so far managed only six points out of a possible 27.
Patrick Marere, the director of the club, was at pains to explain the situation on the ground.
“The boys are playing good football, but the results are simply not coming.
“In my view, I think the technical department is failing to read the games,” he said.
The youthful businessman, however, refused to press the panicking bell.
“It is too early to talk about us getting relegated. Few points separate us from the bottom eight teams.”
“All we need to do is to win our next two games and climb out of the relegation zone.”
Marere also attributed the club’s current state of affairs to the late acquisition of the franchise.
“We acquired the franchise barely two weeks before the start of the season. We never had the time to prepare.”
Marere said the club did not conduct trials, with new players being thrown into the deep end without proving themselves first.
He, however, insisted that the late acquisition of the franchise is not an excuse.
“The boys and the technical team must up their game and come up with good results.
“We are giving them all they want, and it is now their turn to bring good results,” Marere said.
Former Premiership side Harare City sit on top of the NRSL log standings with 18 points.
The Ngezi U19 team is hot on City’s heels, with a single point separating the two.
Surprise packages Chingwere are now on third position with 16 points, while the army side Black Rhinos are fourth, with 15 points.
