Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SEASONED coach John Nyikadzino has been named the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League coach of the month for April after guiding his side, FC Hunters, to four wins.
The Marondera-based side have a 100 percent record in the league so far, winning all five of their matches. They dispatched Chivhu Stars 4-0 in a match that was played at Rudhaka in Marondera at the weekend. And Nyikadzino, who has helped several teams gain promotion from the country’s second-tier competition to the top flight, said he is taking each game as it comes. “It’s a good start, actually a dream start for every coach, winning five back-to-back matches is a huge statement to our competitors, of course, but the reality is we are taking each game as it comes.
“It was an impressive win for my side, but now the focus shifts to our next match against Manica Diamonds Under 19. We can’t be talking of the championship after only five matches, sometimes you need to be realistic and don’t the boys under unnecessary pressure,” said Nyikadzino.
Nyikadzino has previously helped teams like Sheasham and Nichrut gain promotion into the Prem-ier Soccer League, something that has renewed the hope of top-flight action for football followers in Marondera.
The well-travelled tactician attributed his coach of the month accolade to his players and other stakeholders.
“This is a result of team work, so I want to give credit to everyone — the players, the fans and our executive.
“Above all, more credit goes to the sponsors of the league, Pacific Storm. This league had gone for years without a sponsor and their coming on board changed everything.
“The coaches and the players are now getting recognition with a monetary value besides the prize money for winning the league itself at the end of the competition,” said Nyikadzino.
The coming in of Pacific Storm as a sponsor has been welcomed by a number of teams who have been failing to fulfil fixtures.
The company’s marketing manager, Kudakwashe Chiutsi, said they have poured in enough re-sources to ensure that the league runs smoothly. “For us it’s not only the prize money or these awards, we want to make sure that the league runs smoothly. All the teams in the league have received playing kits and we have also helped in reno-vating some facilities these teams are using.
“We are also going to ensure that the league is run without any glitches, the idea is to develop the sport,” said Chiutsi.
Hunters currently lead the ERSL standings with 15 points, followed by Tenax with 12 points.
