The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
CHIBUKU Super Cup Group Three log leaders, Cranborne Bullets’ coach Nisbert ‘Yabo’ Saruchera is not only aiming at seeing his team go beyond the group stage of the competition, but also staying as head coach of a Premiership club for a longer period than ever before.
Saruchera has more often struggled with Premiership teams as head coach and at times was shown the exit after less than five matches in charge, but this time around he appears to have struck the right code with the Cranborne Bullets project.
At one point, Saruchera was fired at Black Rhinos in 2013 after only four matches when the Harare army side lost to How Mine at Gwanzura Stadium.
At correctional services side, Flame Lily when the team got promoted into the Premier Soccer League in 2015, Saruchera was once again shown the exit after five matches when he lost to struggling Dongo Sawmills. That was Dongo Sawmills’ first victory in the Premiership.
But 2021 appears to be a different ball game altogether for Saruchera who has now turned Black Rhinos rejects into a competitive outfit as evidenced by their recent results in the Chibuku Super Cup.
Only a catastrophe of monumental proportions might see Saruchera being relieved of his duties very soon given that by any standards his team has acquitted itself well so far after three rounds of matches played in the Chibuku Super Cup.
Cranborne Bullets are perched on top of Group Three log standings after amassing five points, one ahead of second placed duo of fellow army outfit, Black Rhinos and Mutare correctional services outfit, Tenax FC.
Saruchera’s team is two points ahead of group basement outfit, Manica Diamonds.
“We are a young team playing to be counted and maintain our franchise in the league,” said Saruchera.
The country’s premier knock-out competition for the 2021 season has been weighed down by the Covid-19 pandemic that resulted in not only a delayed start, but the recent suspension as cases of the ravaging ailment soured.
Football fans, particularly those following Group Three action being played at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare via the Facebook Heart and Soul platform are anticipating the return of the competition this weekend with Black Rhinos taking on Tenax on Saturday (tomorrow), while Cranborne Bullets entertains Manica Diamonds on Sunday.
The PSL leadership have been working closely with their parent body, Zifa, to try and ensure that the Chibuku Super Cup goes on smoothly.
The Chibuku Super Cup is crucial in that it is being used as a pilot project to try and see if the league championship can be held this year under the prevailing circumstances.
The lower leagues have also been banking on the success of the tournament, hoping that this will help them to get the green light to resume their programmes.
