The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND could have celebrated the presence of two Premiership teams in the Castle Lager Premiership, but events on the opening round of Chibuku Super Cup competition last weekend gave a good reminder of class and fortitude needed to keep head above water in the domestic top-flight league.
Two of Manicaland representatives in the domestic Premiership – Manica Diamonds and Tenax FC – lost their first Chibuku Super Cup competition matches to visiting army teams, Cranborne Bullets and Black Rhinos.
Correctional services outfit, Chauya Chikara, as Tenax FC are fondly referred to by a loyal group of fans mainly in Mutare, opened the Premiership football account with a forgettable 1-4 drubbing at the hands of a solid Black Rhinos FC at Sakubva Stadium last Saturday.
Surging ahead in the 31st minute courtesy of a beauty from Farai “Gudo” Mugumwa through a set piece from just outside the box was not enough to intimidate a determined Rhinos.
Thus in reply, the Harare army side breached the Tenax backline not once, not twice, neither thrice, but a massive four times, thanks to goals from Tawanda Macheke, Foster Dhemere, Edgar Mhungu and Farai Banda.
The match ended in a humiliating 1-4 heavy defeat for the Mutare top-flight league new comers.
The next day, Manica Diamonds were a pale shadow of the gems they purport to be when their strikers took turns to give Cranborne goalkeeper, Tatenda Makoni a field day on the pitch.
On numerous occasions, Manica Diamonds tormented the visitors’ rearguard, but either lacked the cutting edge in the face of goal or found 23-year-old Makoni alert.
Even though Manica Diamonds dominated play, especially in the second half when they literally camped in the visitor’s half, Cranborne Bullets made the most of the few chances they created and duly won the encounter by a solitary goal.
Former Monomotapa and Black Rhinos player, Wonder ‘Ajile’ Kapinda was on target for the Harare-based Premiership novices with a close range header in a goal mouth melee.
In the end, Makoni’s master-class goalkeeping coupled with the Premiership new boys’ fine passing game earned the visiting team maximum points.
But both Manica Diamonds and Tenax have not lost hope.
Manica Diamonds coach, Johanisi ‘Dutch Mentor’ Nhumwa, said: “I had never imagined losing that game. It was disappointing, to say the least. We conceded a stupid goal. It is unfortunate that we thought we would get back into the game and get goals, but we failed.
“However, I am happy with the way my players applied themselves. We created numerous scoring chances, but somehow their goalkeeper denied us. We will bounce back soon. No doubt we will make amends and ensure we get the results that we need.”
Tenax FC executive member, Lloyd Chinawa, said: “We are not happy with the result we got last Saturday. It was not good for us to lose the opening match, let alone with that margin. Yes, we are coming from Division One, but at the end of the day we are in the same league with these clubs, hence the need to match their standards.
“We are still looking forward to go beyond the group stage of the competition. We still have to work hard for us to achieve what we want and we believe we can still achieve that. We have not lost hope simply because of last Saturday’s heavy defeat.”
