Chegutu Pirates desperate for Chiunye’s services
HAD Chegutu Pirates managed to secure the services of Tinotenda Chiunye on time, they would not be struggling for goals in their debut Premier Soccer League campaign.
At least that is how their coach Day Gutu feels after being left stranded as the sought-after midfielder is yet to get his international clearance.
The 24-year-old former ZPC Kariba star joined Botswana Premier Soccer League side Tafic FC mid-last year in a short stint that saw him return home this year.
Lack of paperwork means he is sidelined while Chegutu Pirates are one of three teams yet to register themselves on the score sheet so far in the Castle Lager Premiership.
“Conceding just twice in the two games means that we have done well in keeping possession and containing the opponents but we still have to work harder in creating more scoring opportunities,” he said.
“We have created very few scoring chances which I feel we need to improve; we also have not done justice in converting the very few chances that we create which means that finishing is a key area that we need to urgently work on.
“Chiunye is yet to join us, he is still to get his international clearance; with the full complement of our squad I am confident we will start to pick points.”
Reigning Champions Ngezi Platinum Stars, new kids Arenel Movers, and Chegutu Pirates remain without goals after their two opening games of the season.
Ngezi Platinum started their title defence with a goalless draw away to newcomers Arenel Movers in Bulawayo.
In their second match, Ngezi Platinum lost 2-0 at home to FC Platinum.
On the other hand, Arenel Movers, went on to hold Chicken Inn in a nil-all draw in their second week.
Chegutu Pirates began life in the elite league with identical 1-0 defeats at the hands of FC Platinum and ZPC Kariba at Mandava and Baobab respectively.
However, Gutu feels there is no need to panic, citing that his team is responding positively to the intense competition in the elite league.
He said his boys’ slow start in their debut PSL season did not come as a surprise to him.
“We knew it was not going to be easy for us, coming from Division One the game is now intense so it has to be a process for us to finally find our feet,” said Gutu.
“Managing to hold both our opponents to the slightest margin is a positive for us, it shows that at least there is something that we are doing right.”
Gutu is charmed by how his boys have put up a fighting spirit in the “high-pressure games”, despite failing to pick points.
“They responded well in the intense games, even after losing possession they have a rare fighting spirit and they work as a team to reclaim possession.
“I also noted that the game is slow in our half while it changes speed in the opponents’ half, something that we need to work on, also, we should improve on our tactical approach to the game.
“In the elite league, the way teams approach the two halves is different so one must be a good game reader and be quick to make the right decisions.
“I would say I assembled a decent squad, we are not pushovers in the league, we are here to stay.”