Chiragwi remains calm
NGEZI PLATINUM Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi reckons that it is just a matter of time before his charges start doing the right things and get off the mark.
The defending league champions have dropped five points in their opening two games.
They encountered a hump in their opening fixture against new boys Arenel Movers who held them to a goalless draw at Luveve.
They followed that up with another disappointing result, suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of platinum rivals FC Platinum at Baobab on Saturday.
That means they trail early log leaders FC Platinum by five points with only two rounds of matches played.
But the Mhondoro miners are used to slow starts just like what was the case last season when they drew their first four games in succession before picking the pieces and eventually landing the title.
Chiragwi feels that as much as all departments need some polishing, it is in the final third that they should put more effort.
“We are getting into those key scoring positions. We are getting in the crosses and the passes into the right spaces.
“It shows that we are doing a quality job.
“The players are trying their best it’s only that luck hasn’t been on our side. But I am impressed with the way we are playing. What is key at the end of the day is the performance.
“Are we performing well? We are. Are we creating good chances? We are. “That’s what is important. If we were not creating chances and not playing well, we were going to get worried,” said Chiragwi.
“It’s just a matter of time before we get that ball behind the net and we will be off the mark.
“We are working on those margins. We have to perfect our finishing because that is where we are lacking.
“But generally, we are doing it the way we are supposed to be doing it just that we are finding it a bit difficult to score. It’s an area that we can easily work on and we get into track.”
Meanwhile, Chiragwi’s assistant Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, who was recruited from Herentals where he was the head coach for over six years says he is adapting to life at Ngezi Platinum.
The highly-rated tactician, who was courted by the ambitious club for two months before inking a deal three weeks ago, said he was excited about the new challenge.
“Ngezi Platinum Stars is a big team and the people here are very friendly making my integration into the set-up very seamless,” he said.
“I have always been good friends with most of the guys in the technical team including coach Takesure (Chiragwi).
“Even when Ngezi Platinum Stars were talking to me, Chiragwi was always a key factor in the negotiations, and that made it easy for me to join the team.
“I like the challenge. That is exactly the reason why I came here. I needed new challenges. When this offer came, I talked to my bosses at Herentals and they gave it their blessing.”
Mutiwekuziva, who made his name after finishing sixth in Herentals’ first Premiership season without adding any new names in the squad that did duty for him in the first division, will be expected to work hand in hand with Chiragwi to strengthen Madamburo.
Ngezi Platinum Stars will be battling on both the local and international fronts this season.
While they will attempt to retain the title, they will as well be representing the country in the CAF Champions League and the expertise of both Chiragwi and Mutiwekuziva will be put to test.*
FORMER Warriors, Dynamos and FC Platinum holding midfielder Thabani “Scara” Kamusoko believes his legs can still carry him following his recent move to Zifa Eastern Region Division One side Triangle United from Zambian Premiership side Nkana FC.
In an interview from his new base, Kamusoko (36), who previously did duty for the now-defunct Njube Sundowns, said he has started a new lease of life in the Sugar Boys camp.
“It’s all about having a new challenge in life as I’m now with Triangle United. I have been training with the club for some time as we await the start of the league. I’m still in the game as I’m also still assessing the situation to see how it goes with my career. When the rightful time comes, other decisions will be made,” said the well-travelled dreadlocked midfield enforcer.
It was in Zambia that Kamusoko, a 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Star of the Year finalist, also turned out for Zesco United.
Before his playing stint in Zambia that lasted three years, the player had a dance in Tanzania where he featured for Young Africans alongside his former teammate at FC Platinum Donald Ngoma.
THE Zimbabwe Football Association at the weekend axed the Young Warriors duo of Elton Chikona from Dynamos and Herentals’ Leon Daka over what the national association termed breach of team protocol.
Chikona and Daka were dropped from the Young Warriors team now in Malawi for the four-team tournament that also includes Kenya, Zambia, and the hosts.
The senior teams are also part of the event being staged in Lilongwe.
In a statement yesterday, Zifa did
At Triangle United, he joined a club that also managed to lure other seasoned players including Ali Sadiki, Brian Juru, and Dominic Mukandi.
“It is always pleasing to join a club that boasts of experienced players. It’s all about mixing youth and experience in a game of football and I believe we will do well,” said Kamusoko.
He sees his move as an opportunity for other accolades.
“It’s all about time. I weighed options and settled for this side. I would like to be part of the players that bring glory to this community. There are a lot of reasons for optimism,” said Kamusoko, a player who was part of the Zimbabwe national team’s 23-member squad that took part in the 2022 biennial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals that were held in Cameroon.
Triangle United, a former Premiership side was demoted from the country’s elite football league after some unconvincing shows that saw them part with their head coach Thulani Sibanda who at the beginning of the year went back to Bulawayo Chiefs.
The Lowveld-based side enjoys sound sponsorship and it is now under the guidance of experienced Arthur Tutani, a renowned football gaffer who helped Simba Bhora earn their PSL promotion. not specify the exact breaches by the players.
“Elton Chikona (Dynamos FC) and Leon Daka (Herentals FC) have been released from the U20 men’s national team training camp and were unable to accompany the team to Malawi due to breaches in team protocols.
“While this situation is regrettable, ZIFA considers it a vital disciplinary measure in its efforts to instil a new team culture characterized by respect for coaches, teammates, and a strong commitment to discipline,” read the statement.