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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND’S two Castle Lager Premier Soccer League teams – Manica Diamonds and GreenFuel – have both lost two league matches on the trot, a trend that has dealt a huge body blow to their aspirations in the domestic top flight league.
Manica Diamonds surrendered their early lead and were left on the losing end after going down 1-2 against league defending champions, FC Platinum at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle yesterday, while GreenFuel FC suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of ZPC Kariba away at Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba in some re-arranged fixtures played on the same day.
Only a week ago, Manica Diamonds lost to lowly Black Rhinos 2-1 away at Bata Stadium in Gweru, while GreenFuel suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat against Simba Bhora on home turf at GreenFuel Arena.
While Premier Soccer League debutants, GreenFuel FC are fighting to keep their place among the big boys of local football, Manica Diamonds FC are within striking distance in the title race even though their coach has not openly accepted the club’s challenge for the league championship.
Gem Boys coach, Jairos Tapera, whose team has been on the road week in week out due to lack of a ZIFA-approved Premiership match venue in Mutare, blames the current dip in form on fatigue from travelling.
“I think the boys are tying really hard. l believe we should quickly pass this phase which I think is all because of too much travelling. Fatigue is creeping in and one needs to have an understanding of this to realise its effect,” said the Manica Diamonds gaffer.
GreenFuel coach, Rodwell Dhlakama, said: “It is unfortunate that we had to lose this match, but our performance was not that bad. What makes the defeat even more painful is that we are coming from a heavy defeat at home and we would have wanted to recover. We managed to have some good exchanges especially in the second half and we created many chances but unfortunately we could not convert.”
Both coaches expressed hope that they will turn the corner in their next league encounters.
Manica Diamonds proceeded to Bulawayo after their Wednesday’s defeat to FC Platinum at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle to face Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium on Saturday yet another tricky encounter for the Gem Boys.
In a must-win encounter, GreenFuel will welcome Cranborne Bullets at GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje, Chipinge.
Online Reporter