The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICA Diamonds’ recent 3-1 triumph over ZPC Kariba followed by an impressive 4-0 dehorning of Black Rhinos was a source of great relief for the Castle Lager Premiership side outfits’ coach Jairos Tapera but the former Young Warriors gaffer reckons more still needs to be done to earn the respect and affection of hard to please Mutare football fans.
The Gem Boys Class of 2023 collected maximum points in the match against ZPC Kariba at a time when voices of discontentment and disgruntlement had already started erupting in local football circles, with many questioning the pedigree of the veteran coach judging by the team’s performance and the results.
However, Tapera and his men did themselves a huge favor, thanks to the convincing 3-1 victory over ZPC Kariba which took their tally to six and left the Mutare outfit 10th on the table.
Mission redemption was not yet over for Tapera and his men as he followed up with another impressive 4-0 demolition of Black Rhinos FC that took their tally to nine and fifth on the latest log standings.
But, before the euphoria of winning the recent two league matches has sunk in, the Gem Boys find themselves in for a real UV test.
Manica Diamonds will have to wake up to the reality of facing a streak of five difficult fixtures which will see Tapera’s men coming up against league defending champions FC Platinum on Saturday (tomorrow), away at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
After the clash against FC Platinum, Manica Diamonds will entertain Chicken Inn FC in yet another tricky fixture for the Mutare based outfit before they face off with on-fire Dynamos.
The Gem Boys will then engage unpredictable Yadah Stars before dating troublesome Hwange FC.
Coach Tapera still believes his team can grind positive results from those five tricky fixtures.
“I think the performance was better as a team against ZPC Kariba as well as against Black Rhinos. Defensively we were solid and eventually goals came.
“I have always had a feeling that if we get things right against Rhinos, we will be able to maintain the rhythm. I still hold to that and I believe the mood itself in camp, high as it is, will see us through,” said Tapera.
Meanwhile, Colliery Stadium in Hwange as well as Bata Stadium in Gweru have been given the nod to host Premiership matches after the custodians of the facility undertook some renovations to meet the minimum required standards.
This emerged after the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League placed the two match venues on the list of grounds that will host top flight league match day eight fixtures.
The Stadium in Gweru is home to new boys Shesham FC while Colliery Stadium is used by Hwange FC.
Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium remains suspended from hosting Premiership matches as virtually nothing has been done to improve the state of the turf.
Manica Diamonds— the top flight league club resident in the eastern border city— continues playing its home matches in Triangle at Gibbo Stadium.
