Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
A few months ago, Khami United, Pacific Breeze Zifa Southern Region side looked firm favourites for relegation.
The Zimabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) club were struggling for breath with points literally being donated to every opponent they played against.
But the script has changed following the arrival of Morris Mukwiti as coach at the beginning of the second half.
Mukwiti was in the dugout two weeks ago when Khami United beat then log leaders and favourites Hwange 1-0. Last Saturday, Mukwiti took his team of correctional services officers, a few civilians and inmate Gift Ncube to Hwange to face Blackrock at Sinderella Ground in Hwange and won 1-0
Following the win, the team moved to ninth position on the log and now look safe from the dreaded relegation threat.
They are nine points above Zebra who occupy the last relegation spot on the log.
The two victories in the last fortnight have given Mukwiti’s boys the right charge.
“Remember Blackrock knocked Highlanders out of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and Hwange did the same to Dynamos. This win is therefore a morale booster to the team,” said Mukwiti.
After he lost his first two games, Mukwiti thereafter posted seven consecutive games without a loss.
“It boils down to team work and unity of purpose. The leadership at the club, technical team and players have the same vision, shared interests and goals and want to excel. It is the unity of everyone involved which is bringing positive results and we will continue to take each game as it comes,” said Mukwiti.
He is happy with the material at his disposal.
“I have an average team of boys who want to work and fight for the badge not as individuals but as a group, that is why we have posted some good results of late,” said Mukwiti.
What has made life easier, he says, is that some of the players have many years of experience.
“They understand my football philosophy and work ethic. My settling in quickly was assisted by that too and management made me feel at home when they tasked with saving the team from relegation,” said Mukwiti.
A former lower division player for Zupco, Mukwiti has been one of Bulawayo’s stand out development coaches and an unsung hero who has worked with players like Max Ruza, Reason Sibanda, Mongameli Tshuma, Aaron Ngwenya, Malvin Hativagoni, Njabulo Ngwenya, Leeroy Ndlovu, Calvin Chigonero, Solomon Sithole, Moreblessing Erenisto, Futore Gumbo, Brian Mlotshwa, Sherperd Mhlanga and the duo of Tinashe and Tawanda Jimu.
Results
Imbizo 2-3 Jordan, Blackrock 0-1 Khami United, Zebra Revolution 4-3 Bulawayo City, Bosso90 1-2 Aqua Stars, Megawatt 0-2 Hwange, Talen Vision 3-5, Nkayi United 1-1 Victoria Falls Herentals.
Standings
P W D L F A GD Pts
Hwange FC 26 17 6 3 45 7 38 57
Talen Vision 26 16 9 1 49 16 33 57
Jordan 26 15 8 3 36 18 18 53
Nkayi United 26 14 9 3 34 12 22 51
Byo Warriors 26 13 6 7 38 23 15 45
Megawatt 26 11 8 7 23 15 8 41
Casmyn 26 11 7 8 23 23 0 40
Vic/Falls Here 26 8 9 9 35 31 4 33
Khami United 26 8 9 9 26 35 -9 33
Blackrock 26 8 8 10 28 33 -5 32
Bulawayo City 26 7 9 10 27 32 -5 30
Zim Saints 26 7 8 11 23 27 -4 29
Aqua Stars 26 7 6 13 23 37 -14 27
Imbizo FC 26 6 8 12 26 42 -16 26
Zebra Revo 25 6 6 13 22 33 -11 24
Njube Spurs 26 5 7 14 23 41 -18 22
Bosso90 25 5 6 14 27 38 -11 21
Mosi Rovers 26 3 3 20 12 57 -45 12
