adminMidlands Correspondent
ZVISHAVANE outfit Shabanie Mine’s newly appointed executive on Saturday took the unusual decision of holding elections to choose a substantive coach. The asbestos miners were thrown into turmoil last week when the mine management dissolved the club’s executive for demoting coach Arnold Jani following an embarrassing defeat to bitter rivals FC Platinum’s Under-19 team in a Zifa Central Soccer League match.
The dissolved executive had replaced Jani with John Phiri.
On Saturday, the 14-member executive decided to take the coaching job to a vote after failing to agree on one name as they were divided over Phiri and former FC Platinum gaffer Tendai Chikuni.
Chikuni and Phiri garnered seven votes each, but the executive decided to settle for Chikuni after tense deliberations.
Chikuni will be assisted by Jani and Elvis “Chuchu” Muuya.
Chikuni guided the asbestos miners to an emphatic 4-0 win over Gwanda-based gold miners Vumbachikwe in his first assignment after being “elected”.
Tinashe Kabanda, Elasto Bakacheza and Joe Nyabinde were on target for the asbestos miners and an own goal by a Vumbachikwe defender sealed the rout.
Chikuni expressed satisfaction with the win saying he would build on it going forward as the Chinda Boys are desperate for a quick return to the Premiership.
Elsewhere, army side Tongogara opened a three-point lead at the top of the table after their 2-1 win over Gweru United on Saturday.
Tongogara has now amassed 30 points from 13 matches. Border Strikers swapped places with ZPC Munyati to move into second place after beating the power generators 1-0 on Saturday.
Border Strikers and ZPC Munyati are tied on 27 points, but the Beitbridge-based side have a better goal difference.
Results: Shabanie Mine 4-0 Vumbachikwe , ZRP Beitbridge 1-0 Chrome Stars, ZETDC Southern Region 0-2 FC Platinum U19, MSU 0-2 Blanket Mine, Sable Chemicals 2-0 Silo United, Gweru United 1-2 Tongogara, ZPC Munyati 0-1 Border Strikers, Mvuma Stars 0-1 Ivan Hoe
Online Reporter