The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
TWO of Mutare’s celebrated footballers-turned-coaches Hibron ‘Adala’ Makukutu and Clemence ‘Skude’ Mkudu are proving that Manica Diamond’s decision to pave a way for them to venture into coaching was not a mistake as they guide the club’s junior outfit to glory in the Manicaland Division Two A League.
Under the tutelage of the two former Highway FC midfielders, Manica Diamonds Juniors are the only team in the Manicaland Division Two A League that is yet to lose a match away from home. After 12 rounds of league matches, the youthful Manica Diamonds Juniors outfit is in second position with just three points behind log leaders, Claremont. With an average age of 20, the youngsters making up the Manica Diamonds Juniors outfit are drawn from Mutare’s Dangamvura, Sakubva and Chikanga high density suburbs. Head coach Makukutu said he is impressed with the way his boys are responding to instructions with each passing game.
“I think as a technical department we are generally happy with the way his boys are responding to instructions with each passing game. We are not resting on our laurels and we hope to accrue more points in forthcoming matches up until the season ends. “This project is mainly aimed at giving platform to youngsters here in Mutare so that they can get a chance to play in our top flight league side when given a chance. This will certainly go a long way in promoting football talent here in Mutare,” said Makukutu.
Powered by the mercurial instincts of centre strikers Charles Masocha and Simpson Mutasa, right back Zhovha, captain Wilberforce Njeru and Tinashe Jana Kazungu amond a galaxy of youthful stars, Manica Diamonds Juniors FC are highly likely to earn promotion into the more competitive Eastern Region Division One come end of the 2019 season in Division Two.
Manica Diamonds Juniors FC are still basking in glory of a convincing 3-0 triumph over more experienced Mutare Farm Supply that is widely known as the league’s old people’s home and popularly referred to as Juventus.
