The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
DESPITE goal-scoring form deserting him, Manica Diamonds striker, Nyasha Chintuli remains confident that he will rediscover his touch and finish the season on a high note.
A cruel combination of injuries and illness has hamstrung the talented gunslinger’s Premiership campaign with his hometown club, for whom he has scored five goals so far.
This was a huge blow as it forced him to sit out of some of the games, among them encounters against Highlanders, CAPS United and Herentals.
Chintuli also did not participate in the local derby against parent club Tenax owing to contractual obligations.
By his own admission, he is frustrated with the dry spell.
However, he is keeping his eyes on the ball and challenging himself to sharpen his shooting skills and improve the goal haul.
“The season has not gone on as well as I had hoped it would, but I am happy with my contribution to the team’s cause. I have missed some games through injury and illness and this has somewhat affected my rhythm.
“Naturally, I get worried when I do not bang in loads of goals because that is what I am paid to do as a striker. This goal drought is inspiring me to work harder and regain the killer instinct. Soon I will be back on the mark again and I am targeting to finish the season strongly,” said the Sakubva-bred star.
Chintuli said he is still on course to meet individual targets set for this season.
Added the hard-running forward: “I am not giving up yet. I spoke with the coach (Johanisi Nhumwa) before our previous game (Chibuku Super Cup tie against Yadah Stars at Vengere Stadium in Rusape on Sunday) and he urged me to stay focused. I am keeping my eyes on the ball and geared to deliver. I will continue pushing myself and the teammates’ encouragement has also been largely helpful.”
Chintuli had a dream debut for the Gem Boys, scoring the equaliser in his first outing to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw away to Yadah Stars.
The marauding gunslinger struck a brace against Chicken Inn in a thrilling 3-3 draw and had solitary strikes when they faced his former club, Triangle, Yadah Stars, Cranborne Bullets and Herentals.
He opened the 2022 campaign in emphatic style after hitting a hat-trick against Bulawayo City while still turning out for Ngezi Platinum Stars before crossing the floor to Manica Diamonds.
His tally for this season presently stands at nine goals – five and four for the diamond and platinum miners respectively.
He is currently Manica Diamonds’ joint top-scorer with fellow striker, Lloyd Katongomara.
His last strike came against the Gamecocks and the barren run has persisted for nearly a dozen games.
The Number 13’s target at the start of the season was to score 18 goals. He remains adamant that he will not revise that down as he feels he can still hit that mark.
His coach, Johanisi “Dutch Mentor” Nhumwa is backing him to deliver.
“We know what Chintuli is capable of and he has to keep his head up. His performance on the pitch remains impressive and it is only the goals that have of late been lacking. If he continues playing to his strengths, I am sure he will come right. His contribution has been positive and it is only a matter of time before he starts scoring again,” said Nhumwa.
Now with a clean bill of health and back to full fitness, Chinutli is raring to go again.
The predatory marksman still has a chance to surpass his career best of goal returns this season.
He enjoyed his first taste of Premiership football at Triangle where he scored seven goals throughout the season-long stint in 2019 before his switch to Mhondoro and eventually joining hometown club, Manica Diamonds.
He emphasised that he will always put the team first ahead of personal glory as he is looking forward to making the most of his time with the Gem Boys.
The La Sakubva juniors product reckons the Gem Boys are still in the running for the league title despite dropping points over the recent past matches through draws, which has proved to be a costly setback.
Nhumwa’s charges were among the early pacesetters and emerged as championship favourites before appearing to run out of steam during the course of the season as they huffed and puffed.
