Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE cruel tragedy of being a sports coach is that when the team excels – they are often the last to receive accolades – and when the team falters, they are invariably the first to bear the brunt of criticism.
Such are the occupational hazards of coaching in sport!
As the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership season enters its second half tomorrow – a staggering nine coaches have already fallen victim to the axe.
This week alone, three Premiership club coaches – Jairos Tapera (Manica Diamonds), Kevin Kaindu (Highlanders), and Taurai Mangwiro (GreenFuel FC) – found themselves out of jobs.
In recent months, several other clubs, including Kwekwe United, CAPS United, Yadah Stars, Chicken Inn, Triangle United FC, and Dynamos, have also undergone changes in their technical departments, highlighting the precarious nature of a coach’s tenure.
In the wake of Jairos Tapera’s departure, Mutare-based Premiership outfit, Manica Diamonds has swiftly moved on, with Tafadzwa Mashiri, Tapera’s former assistant, now at the helm.
A certified CAF A instructor, Mashiri has devised a comprehensive plan to revitalise the team’s fortunes, akin to a modern-day Marshall Plan.
The Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Programme (ERP), was a USA programme to help rebuild European economies after World War II.
Introduced by Secretary of State, George Marshall in 1947, it provided over US$12 billion (approximately US$120 billion today) in economic assistance to war-torn Europe.
The plan aimed to rebuild European economies, promote economic stability and growth, encourage European integration and counter Soviet influence in Europe.
Mashiri’s strategy is geared towards accumulating more points and propelling the team up the log table in the second half of the season.
“Everyone involved is eagerly anticipating a change in fortunes as the second round commences. We aim to perform significantly better and work tirelessly to return to winning ways. Although it won’t be easy, we remain positive and focused on achieving our objectives. The league is highly competitive this season, and we must push hard to secure favourable results,” he said.
So, who is Tafadzwa Mashiri?
The soft-spoken and humble coach boasts an impressive pedigree, having played up to Division One level and served as a Physical Education teacher at a high school.
Mashiri’s coaching career spans stints at Gutu FC in the Eastern Region Division One from 2014 to 2017.
Notably, Mashiri coached the Zimbabwe Under-17 team from 2014 to 2021, leading them to championship glory in the 2016 AUSC Region Five games in Angola, courtesy of Anelka Chivandire’s winning goal in the final against Angola.
The team had previously finished as runners-up in the same tournament in Bulawayo in 2014.
Mashiri’s coaching career gained momentum in 2018 when he left teaching to join Triangle United as assistant coach to Taurai Mangwiro.
Together, they achieved notable success, clinching the Chibuku Super Cup championship in the same year.
The team’s triumph earned them a spot in the 2019 Confederation Cup.
In 2022, Mashiri reunited with Mangwiro at Harare City FC, serving as his assistant once again.
Today, Mashiri finds himself at the helm of Manica Diamonds’ technical department, albeit on an interim basis.
Club secretary general, Sugar Chagonda, acknowledged that Mashiri’s appointment is a temporary solution, but hinted that a strong performance could lead to a permanent position.
Said Chagonda: “We have made these changes in response to growing concerns about the team’s results. We are confident that we have the necessary resources at our disposal, and nothing should prevent us from competing at the highest level and achieving excellent results against the best teams in the league.
“With Tafadzwa Mashiri – formerly assistant to Jairos Tapera – now at the helm, he has a chance to prove himself. The duration of his tenure is uncertain, potentially spanning one, two, three, or five matches. Ultimately, his success will depend on how he performs in the role.”
