adminBruce Chikuni
MANICA Diamonds gaffer, Jairos Tapera, is convinced that he can help revive midfielder, Ralph Kawondera’s career by boosting his confidence.
Kawondera was officially unveiled as a Gem Boys’ player yesterday and he is expected to play a significant role in the club’s challenge for the league championship.
Kawondera, though, hasn’t been the same since he left Triangle United in 2019.
He was voted the Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year first runner-up up in that year, and local moneybags, FC Platinum, snapped him up from the Sugar Boys.
But he failed to replicate the form that saw him being voted the top-flight league’s second-best player.
He then moved to the Glamour Boys where he had a bright start to last season, but he was often deployed in a deep position before his role was reduced towards the end of the campaign.
He managed to net five times despite playing in a more defensive role.
However, Tapera revealed that he is planning to play Kawondera in a more offensive role.
“Kawondera is one of the players you can always count on. He has many strengths and it’s now up to him to show his abilities.
“He didn’t enjoy his performance last season, but I believe there might be reasons which led to that.
“I’m going to deploy him in a more offensive position.
“Everyone knows his abilities and he is not the type you can say has reached the point of no return,” he said.
Tapera also stated that he trusted utility player, Liberty Chakoroma, to lead the team.
Veteran forward, Donald Ngoma, is now the club’s vice-captain.
The Gem Boys are in Chiredzi for their pre-season.
They roped in 10 players in the current transfer window.
The players are Brett Amidu, Tadious Baye, Geoffrey Chitsumba, Panashe Mtasa, Gerald Bero, Kelvin Gwao, Farai Banda, Trevor Mavhunga, Tawanda Chisi and Ngoma.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter