Online ReporterCurtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
PAM defeated army side Cranborne Bullets 3-1 over the weekend to move to the top of the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League.
PAM now have nine points from four matches, a strong start that has surprised many observers. Head coach Tavaka Gumbo, however, said the performance is no fluke.
“I arrived last year during the season. It was a difficult task to survive relegation,” Gumbo said.
“It was then we set our major objective this season, to survive relegation. We saw how we struggled last year and we don’t want that. To avoid that, we were aiming for a strong start, and it is happening.”
Since Gumbo’s arrival, he has implemented changes, particularly bringing in young talent.
“Modern football requires a lot of running. With a team of more senior players, you will find the going difficult. So I decided to assemble a team with an average age of 23 years and keep just three senior players to guide the youngsters.” On Friday, PAM will travel to Harare to face new boys High Range, who have started the season slowly. Gumbo said he aims to compound their problems.
“It’s an away match and you have to be cautious, but we are going to play and fight for maximum points.”
Gumbo, a former player for Shushine and Hwange who also featured for the Warriors under Reinhard Fabisch, warned that PAM cannot afford to drop points against Highrange, as Harare City, Chingwere and Ngezi U-19 are one point behind on eight points each.
“At the moment we need as many points as possible such that we move in a safe position. As I said, we are not yet targeting the title, we want to get safety first. Anything beyond that is a bonus.
Friday Fixtures
Harare City vs Karoi (Callies Sports Club), Marere vs G&T Mining (Rimuka Stadium), Cranborne Bullets vs Cranborne Bullets (Commando Barracks)
Saturday
FC Oden vs Golden Eagles (Chinhoyi), MWOS U-19 vs Black Mambas (Ngoni), Zambezi G&C vs Black Rhinos (Centenary Sports Club), Jumbo Giants vs Rangers (Jumbo), Shamva Mine vs Chingwere (Shamva Mine), Chegutu Pirates vs CP Chemicals (Pfupajena)
Sunday
Banket vs Batanai
Mathew Masinge