Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHILE one victory cannot erase months of inconsistency, Manica Diamonds’ win against ZPC Kariba last weekend has injected belief into a side that had begun to look resigned to relegation.
The Gem Boys snapped an eight-match Castle Lager Premier Soccer League win-less streak and recorded their first clean sheet in six league outings to hand new coach Herbert “Jompano’’ Maruwa the kind of start he would have wished for.
Manica Diamonds may still be entrenched in the relegation zone, but Sunday’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over ZPC Kariba at Sakubva could prove to be the catalyst to turn around their season.
For Maruwa, the result was far more than three points.
“A good start indeed, now what is needed is to keep on working hard, though it’s not going to be easy.
“We are going to make sure the boys believe in themselves,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Maruwa has to restore confidence in a team that has managed just three wins in 21 matches — a paltry 14 percent win rate.
The task of saving the Gem Boys could prove to be a big one for Maruwa.
Manica Diamonds remain second from bottom with 16 points.
If the previous two PSL seasons are anything to go by, survival is likely to require around 38 points, leaving Maruwa’s men needing approximately 22 more points from their remaining 13 fixtures.
That translates to averaging close to 1.7 points per game for the rest of the campaign — a pace comparable to that of teams currently challenging for the top four rather than those battling relegation.
The encouraging fact for Manica Diamonds is that the relegation battle remains congested.
FC Hunters and ZPC Kariba are only three points above the drop zone, while Chicken Inn and Bulawayo Chiefs are not yet comfortably clear.
A sustained run of positive results for Manica Diamonds could quickly change the complexion of the table.
They will play Chicken Inn (away), CAPS United (home), and Herentals (away) in their next three matches.
The danger, however, is that Manica Diamonds have left themselves with virtually no margin for error.
Every dropped point from here can increases the pressure, making consistency far more important than occasional stand-out performances.
But in Maruwa, Manica Diamonds believe.
Although he left TelOne earlier this year under a cloud of poor results, few doubt his tactical pedigree.
“It’s more like we need to stabilise the ship first, then take it from there,” Maruwa added.
Apart from ending the win-less streak, his side kept a clean sheet — something they had failed to achieve in five previous matches.
Relegation battles are often won through defensive organisation before attacking flair, and Maruwa will know that tightening up at the back is the quickest route to accumulating points.
Maruwa has also indicated his intention to strengthen the squad during the on-going transfer window.
Former Simba Bhora and Ngezi Platinum Stars defender Carlos Mavhurume is now at Manica Diamonds.
The club also promoted Kupakwashe Chitukutuku from the juniors.
However, the current group is not devoid of capable characters.
Lawrence Masibera, Philip Kaseke, and the explosive Charles Teguru have all shown they can influence matches.
