The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
JOHANNES ‘The Dutch Mentor’ Nhumwa — an unknown quantity not so long ago, largely overshadowed by the colossal figure of his tutor Luke Masomere – is fast winning the hearts and minds of fans in Manicaland after being thrust into the hot seat upon Masomere’s exit as Manica Diamonds head coach.
In the five matches that Nhumwa has been appointed the Gem Boys coach on caretaker basis, Nhumwa has stirred the Manica Diamonds with aplomb, securing an impressive 10 out of a possible 15 points in the five rounds of Premier Soccer League matches.
Nhumwa was thrown into the deep end soon after Masomere was fired and in his first assignment the former Masvingo United gaffer gruesomely oversaw the Manica Diamonds 1-0 home defeat the hands of CAPS United at Vengere Stadium.
In the next match, Nhumwa collected maximum points away from home against Harare City in a 2-1 triump in the capital.
Manica Diamonds went on to settle for a two all stalemate miles away from home in the Mashonaland capital of Bindura up against lowly Mushowani Stars.
Nhumwa then guided Manica Diamonds to a morale boosting 4-3 triumph over Zimbabwe’s Caf Confederation Cup representatives Triangle FC at Vengere Stadium.
The impressive result against Triangle, which sealed a four match unbeaten run for the Gem Boys, endeared the Masvingo born coach to fans at Vengere Stadiumn who were left chanting ‘Nhumwa, Nhumwa uri nhumwa’, (Nhumwa, Nhumwa you are a messenger), after the referee blew the final whistle.
