The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
CORRECTIONAL services outfit Tenax has maintained its unbeaten run in the Eastern Region Division One League after six league games while embattled Chisumbanje-based side Greenfuels picked their first set of maximum points last weekend.
Tenax FC dismissed struggling Renco Mine FC 2-1.
Coach Blessing Madombi was excited with his team’s performance and had high hopes of gaining premiership promotion.
“I am very happy with how the boys are playing and we hope to maintain the lead till the end of the season. For years, we have been struggling to finish top, but we guess this is our year and season of gaining premiership promotion,” he said.
Meanwhile, off the field drama is threatening to spoil Greenfuels’ season as the club has fired seven players leaving newly appointed coach Chasten Ngondonga with a lean squad to choose his best 11 players from.
The clubs was left with only 23 players.
Clubs register 30 players at the beginning of every season.
Green Fuels finally registered their first win of the season after beating United Lions two-nil.
The club’s executive claimed that the players were dismissed after failing to pass fitness test.
The dismissed players are Limited Chikafa, Ndodana Sibanda, Max Murimi, Alex Pasuwa, Lloyd Nyamande, Tina Mupumha and Farai Mlauzi.
However, sources privy to the developments at the club indicated that the players were fired for their links with former coach Taku Shariwa.
“Shariwa is still around. He has a close relationship with the players. He is seen with the players. He is staying in Checheche and has access to the players that he brought to the club. That is why the club decided to sack the seven players,” said the source.
Club chairman Fredson Moyo dismissed the allegations that the players were dismissed because of their links with Shariwa.
“People always come up with their own versions. We offloaded seven excess players. Most of them failed fitness tests. 98 percent of the players came with Shariwa.
“So if they say we fired all players that came with Shariwa then it means we are left with no players. The decision was performance based. Fitness test is continuous and ongoing assessment process. We are not aware of their individual relationship as our recruitment exercise is based on conditions that are applicable to the club. Shariwa moved away from Greenfuels residence more than a week ago,” said Moyo.
Coach Ndongonda said losing the seven players had affected his game plan.
“I can say this has actually disturbed camp, but the players that are available are aware of the situation we are in and what is expected of them. They know we are in a bad position and we must start collecting maximum points. I believe we can still win our weekend fixture. I think the last two games have given us some confidence and the players are adapting well to the changes at the club. We just need unity of purpose, and together we can make it,” he said.
He also said the victory against United Lions kept their hopes of a top finish alive.
“This win has greatly motivated us. We need to maintain the same team spirit.
“We are taking each game as it comes. I will not focus on what other teams are doing, but our goal to finish the season on a respectable position,” he said.
See latest Eastern Region Division One log on Sports Diary column:
