Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
AFTER ending the season in a very unfamiliar territory where they had to survive relegation on the final day of the season, least expected of a club that was so strong on paper, Mutare-based Castle Lager Premiership side, Manica Diamonds will make wholesome changes within its rank and file going into the 2026 season.
In the five seasons they have been part of the domestic top-flight league, Manica Diamonds have never survived the chop on the final day of the season. In fact, ending the season on second position in 2023, reasonably created great expectations of much bigger things to be achieved going forward, including hope for a maiden Premier Soccer League title coming down to Mutare.
Alas, that was not to be!
As it now stands, Manica Diamonds now count themselves lucky to be still part of the domestic Premiership after edging relegated Bikita Minerals by a solitary goal on the final day of the season at Sakubva Stadium last Sunday.
Their chairman, Masimba Chihowa, acknowledges that this was an unfamiliar territory for the club.
“Admittedly, we ended the season in a position that we never thought we would find ourselves in. As a club, we align ourselves to the vision of our sponsor and the vision of our sponsor is being victorious in our endevours.
“Therefore, it is against this background that we really need to sit down, introspect and come up with realistic strategies that will see us achieve our set targets.
“One of the things that we cannot run way from is that of human resources. We just need to do an overhaul of our team and make sure we assemble a competitive team, made up players that are willing to fight for the name of the club and the city,” he said.
Chihowa made no secret that they are hunting for a new substantive coach.
“I do not think that it is a secret that the club needs to have a new substantive coach as we are all aware that our technical department was there on an interim basis after we parted ways with Jairos Tapera,” he said.
Even though several names have been linked to a possible move to the Mutare diamond miners, Chihowa said they have not yet agreed anything with anyone. “This is something that we still have to execute. We do not want to rush to make the same mistakes that we believe we have learnt from. We will make due announcements of the names when the time is right. At the moment we have not yet agreed anything with anyone,” said Chihowa.
UK-based former Manica Diamonds administrator, Owen ‘Yaya’ Sango concurred that surviving relegation gives an opportunity to self-introspect and make the requisite adjustments.
“Surviving relegation is a warning sign, but also an opportunity to reset. To ensure the club does not fall into the same situation next season, here are key areas to focus on: They need to appoint or retain a coach whose playing style suits available talent, not one who come with a wagon full of players. Manica Diamonds need to have a mix of experienced players and younger energetic ones as the league is tough, hence the need to add strong, athletic players who can match the physical demands of the league.
“There is also need to implement proper recovery, nutrition, and sports science routines after injuries for quick recovery and ensure that players and technical understand targets and expectations.
“Player welfare is also of paramount importance. There is need for good living conditions, timely salaries, and professional treatment for players to increase their performance. There is also need to avoid mid-season financial problems that affect morale,” said Sango.
The UK-based staunch Manchester City fan said Manica Diamonds need to make use of their juniors’ team to reduce the player signing bill.
“Manica Diamonds need to void changing systems every week unless necessary. They need to identify two or three young talented players from their own juniors’ team to integrate with the senior team. This reduces signing costs and builds a long-term pipeline of talent production. “In terms of actual on the field performance, going into next season the club needs to build a home-ground fortress mentality. This is something that has helped a lot of clubs whereby they turn their own home ground into a fortress where they hardly lose or draw a match,” said Sango.
