Online Reporter
Onward Gangata, [email protected]
STRUGGLING Central Region Soccer League side, Matobo FC, have turned to veteran coach, Amin Soma Phiri to revive their fortunes.
The Matobo-based outfit has experienced a tumultuous first half of the season.
They anchor the log standings with a measly six points from 16 matches, having recorded just one win and three draws.
Club secretary general, Bizwork Benjamin Phiri revealed that the club had endured a difficult time with several coaches fleecing the club.
Phiri added that the decision to hire the former Bosso player was the best decision for the club.
The former Highlanders player and welfare manager will commence his duties during the mid season break.
He replaces the nomadic Rutherford Matondo.
“We look forward to having him after our season break,” Phiri told the Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“After so many struggles on and off the pitch this season, where we are at the bottom of the table, we decided to go for experience.
“His experience will guide us out of this mess which we found ourselves in. We have faced challenges with coaches coming to us, getting sign-on fees and running away with players.”
While Matobo have experienced waning fortunes, other teams in the region are basking in the sun.
Gwanda sides proved to be dominant in the first half of the season with Blanket Mine topping the standings at the halfway mark.
West Nicholson are in second place, while Gwanda Pirates and Super Strikers are all in the top eight, sitting fifth and eighth respectively.
This means four teams from Matabeleland South have qualified for the GMI Super 8 tournament.
The launch and draw of the Cup competition will be held in Kwekwe on Sunday.
Teams in the top eight on the log standings at the halfway stage of the season qualify for the tournament.
Blanket Mine chairperson, Milton Chigova, said the club is on the market looking for reinforcements for their squad ahead of a gruelling second half of the campaign.
“We have really done well this season, and we have to build on that momentum so that we finish on a high.
“At the moment, we are on the market pursuing reinforcements based on the recommendations from our coaches,” said Chigova.
