The end is nigh for Nyikadzino?

Patrick Chitumba in Gweru

JOHN Nyikadzino’s tenure as Sheasham coach  appears to be coming to an end after he presided over another goalless draw against ten men Herentals in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Bata Stadium yesterday.

All is not well at the construction boys’ camp, as they are second from the bottom on the log standings.

And the team’s supporters made their feeling known, baying for the coach’s head, as they feel he no longer has what it takes to take the team forward.

Reports suggest Nyikadzino was, last week, given a two-match ultimatum in which he was tasked to get four points. Sheasham play Manica Diamonds in their next match.

“In football there are things that happen, but what I can tell you is that I have a contract with the club and I know what is expected of me,” said the coach as he dismissed the ultimatum reports.

However, he admitted that the supporters were justified to feel aggrieved.
“The supporters are justified in doing that, we are playing at home and failing to win, so you would expect that from them,” Nyikadzino said.

Herentals coach Philemon Mutiwekuziwa welcomed the point but bemoaned the size of the pitch as having affected his side’s usual style of play.

“From where we are coming from, I would take the point with a positive mind. We managed to play the way we have done to get that point, which is good for us, but the pitch is smaller so it affected how we normally play as we like to build from the back, but failed to do so today.”

Sheasham had the upper hand in the first-half but failed to convert the chances that came their way.

Physiwell Madhazi came close twice inside the first 20 minutes but failed to find the target. David Mangesi had another opportunity but his long-range shot slightly went over the bar.

In the second-half, Sheasham had goalkeeper Elton Sibanda to thank as he kept them in the match pulling a string of saves.

The students were reduced to ten men with ten minutes to go after Tinotenda Benza was red-carded for a nasty tackle on Tanaka Chidhobha.