Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba
SHEASHAM FC coach, Lizwe Sweswe appears to have breathed life back into the Gweru side’s campaign after a poor start to the season.
With the league at its half way stage, the club could not have wished for a better inspiration than beat defending league champions FC Platinum in a Midlands derby at Mandava, Zvishavane on Saturday.
The Construction Boys emerged 2-1 winners over Norman Mapeza’s side to pocket three points and a confidence boosting urge to do better in the next rounds of league action.
The Gweru side made changes to their technical department bringing in the former FC Platinum coach Sweswe to replace John Nyikadzino with the side precariously positioned in the relegation zone.
Sweswe had his work cut out, and immediately got his sleeves dirty, picking two draws in his first two matches, before the earth shaking 2-1 win over FC Platinum at Mandava stadium on Saturday, their second win of the season, after eight matches without scoring.
“I am very excited considering this win cancels out the belief that the team is not scoring. The boys now know that it is doable,” he said after the match.
He was happy with the boys’ performance.
“It was a good performance from the boys, from the time I took over, the boys have been working hard and I kept telling them that if you work hard results will come.”
The victory saw Sheasham rising up to 15th position on the log standings, with 17 points, just two points from safety.
The win has gotten Sheasham fans believing that their side can turn their fortunes around and meet their season’s target of surviving relegation.
“We have been struggling in the better part of the first half of the season, owing to a very conservative style of play, mean and compact at the back, and very cautious going forward, hence the few goals we scored,” said Sheasham staunch supporter Jefferson Nyajena.
“The decision to rope in a new coach in Lizwe Sweswe proved to be a masterstroke we now play with purpose, methodical build ups and a highly tactical playing system. I’m sure the minimum target is to survive relegation.”
Another supporter Stali Wamusi also praised the decision to bring in Sweswe adding that survival from relegation is now guaranteed.
“We are happy with this result, it gives us hope that we can retain our Premiership status this season. We have already seen the direction the team is now taking, five points from three matches, that is encouraging if we continue on this trajectory we will survive,” he said.
Online Reporter