The ManicaPost
FORMER Dynamos star and Harare City coach, Masimba Dinyero, believes Mutare City Rovers have what it takes to make a quick return to the top-flight league, but will only need to maintain consistency in form from Day One of the season.
Mutare City Rovers hired Dinyero as their head coach recently as they replaced Taku Shariwa who presided over the relegation of Gusha Bhora at the end of last season.
The diminutive gaffer will be out to get a team promoted into the Premiership for the first time as a head coach after settling for second position in 2006 when Mwana Africa was eventually promoted in Northern Region ahead of his Black Mambas outfit.
In an interview, Dinyero said there was enough material in terms of players at his disposal to get the team back into the Premiership.
“I think we have good players capable of getting the team back into the Premiership.
“We are trying to blend experienced players with talented youngsters who are coming in to join us.
“The response from prospective players during our training sessions so far has been amazing.
“We have had players from as far as Bulawayo coming to try their luck.
“That is what a serious Premiership promotion contender should be like.
“More importantly, Mutare City Rovers have what it takes to make a quick return to the top-flight league, but will only need to maintain consistency in form from Day One of the season.
“We need to start collecting points from the word go and ensure that we do not unnecessarily drop points along the way,” said Dinyero.
Dinyero has been one of Lloyd ‘Samaita’ Mutasa’s trusted lieutenants since they started their coaching career together way back in 2002 at Sporting Lions.
The two worked hand in hand together national team coach, Kalisto Pasuwa at clubs such as the now defunct Highway, Kiglon, Eagles, Dynamos and Black Mambas in Swaziland over the years.
Mutare City Rovers were relegated last season in their debut season in the top-flight league and will be hoping for a quick return at the end of the 2018 season.
They face a tough fight for promotion in a league that is likely to see another former Premier Soccer League side, Buffaloes giving other title contenders a good run for their money.
Buffaloes had a bruising fight for the sole promotion ticket with Yadah Stars last season and they will fancy themselves to be successful this time around.
Buffaloes have already relocated to Rusape, a move that was precipitated by an increased number of First Division teams in Mutare using Sakubva Stadium.
Buffaloes’ failure to get promoted and the relegation of Mutare City Rovers all at the end of last season means there will be no top-flight football in Mutare this season.
