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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi is buzzing with the depth in his squad which has enabled him to rotate players with the same devastating effect for the Castle Lager Premiership table-toppers.
The Mhondoro-based miners are leading the marathon with 26 points to their name.
Yet, Chiragwi has rarely fielded the same line-up for two consecutive games, 13 weeks into the season.
While the former CAPS United left-back prefers to play his cards close to his chest, he is impressed by the way all his players have stepped up to the plate each time they are picked to do the job.
“I am very happy with how my players are carrying themselves in all the games we have played this season. We have given minutes to almost everyone and the passion and desire they are showing have really impressed me,” said Chiragwi.
“We have got an array of youngsters who shouldn’t be risked by playing in every game. Equally, we have veterans whose experience is key but they also need time to recover and reorient.
“We have been doing exactly that and each time we throw anyone into the fray, they play with so much energy and direction.
“As a coach, that’s what you would like to see within your charges. The league is very competitive and the intensity of the games is beyond any doubt.
“All the teams want to play football and you need to manage your players very well. So far so good in terms of the effort and energy my players are throwing into the game. I am really happy with their application whenever they are given the chance to play.
“This is a marathon and you would need all of your players to be ready for any minute given to them. That’s why we always assess on which games fit who in our line up and I am very happy with how everyone is responding”.
Chiragwi’s charges will be keen to collect yet another set of maximum points when they travel to Gweru for a date against struggling Sheasham on Sunday.
The new boys are hanging around in relegation places with just 12 points to their name.
They have been very poor of late with their defeat to GreenFuel sliding them just one place above basement side Black Rhinos.
But there is renewed confidence within their squad after the builders galvanised their technical team with the addition of assistant coach Reuben Njavera yesterday.
Njavera is a CAF A licence holder and he will be expected to bring fresh ideas to John Nyikadzino and possibly be able to plot Ngezi Platinum’s downfall.
Chiragwi is aware of the risk associated with playing a club badly in need of results.
“We are preparing hard for the match against Sheasham. At this juncture of the race, there are no easy teams to play against,” said Chiragwi.
“You need to plug all the holes because every team can be very dangerous. If you look at the gap between us and Sheasham who are second from last, it’s not that big and you always have to accept that this league is very competitive.
“Any team can beat any team and we need to be on the lookout for possible upsets. Sheasham is not a bad team if you look closely at it. We need to tick all the boxes in our application and we are working on our weaknesses right now while consolidating our strengths.
“There is no room even for marginal errors. We need to keep on pushing and keep on believing”.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Bulawayo Chiefs v CAPS United (Luveve), Dynamos v FC Platinum (Barbourfields), Yadah v Black Rhinos (Baobab), Cranborne Bullets v Herentals College (Nyamhunga)
Sunday: Greenfuel v Chicken Inn (Gibbo Stadium), Hwange v ZPC Kariba (Colliery), Highlanders v Triangle United (Barbourfields), Sheasham v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Bata), Simba Bhora v Manica Diamonds (Baobab)
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