Manica Diamonds remain anchored at the bottom of the log
Ngezi Platinum Stars—(1)1
Manica Diamonds –(0)0
By Innocent Muchochomi in Mhondoro
Manica Diamonds coach, Jairos Tapera, is not worried about losing his job despite his team’s disappointing 1-0 loss to Ngezi Platinum Stars in a Premier Soccer League match at Baobab Stadium on Monday.
Claude “Pokello” Mapoka scored the only goal of the game by heading in a free-kick delivered by Amin Quadr after Walter Vuwa was fouled just outside the box in the 39th minute.
The defeat left Manica Diamonds rooted to the bottom of the league table, having only managed to secure one point from the four games they have played so far.
Out of the four games, Manica lost to Simba, Telone, and Ngezi Platinum Stars and drew against Chegutu Pirates.
Despite their poor start to the season, last year’s contenders remain confident and unfazed, believing they will turn their fortunes around.
“Football always comes with pressure, but what’s important is taking the positives after every game you play.
“In our first game, we conceded three goals, in the second game we conceded another three goals and had a draw.
“Now we lost to probably one of the best teams in the league, but I think the positives are there, and we need to go back, restart, and see how it comes.
“In football, you have to push and do whatever you can and if ever there is anything that comes that’s it.”
Tapera also added that: “As a coach, you don’t have to fear because one day you will move whether you like it or not.”
Whilst the season Tapera was feeling the pain of losing after his boys’ excellent second-half performance they were unlucky not to score, Ngezi Platinum Stars gaffer Takesure “Deco” Chiragwi was short of descriptive superlatives.
“From the first game the guys were playing the same way they did today but what was lacking was only getting the ball inside the net.
“Today we played very well and I thought we were going to halftime three nil but we couldn’t even get manage again I was happy the boys continued going forward.
“At the end of the day we managed to win and that was more important for it unlocked the doors for us.
“The guys are the starring of the movie as they are articulating what we teach them at training,” Chiragwi said.
