Under fire Jairos Tapera remains defiant
MANICA Diamonds coach, Jairos Tapera, is not reading too much into threats of losing his job due to poor results, and remains focused on getting the better results for his team with each passing game as the 2024 Castle Lager Premiership season unfolds.
The Mutare premiership outfit gave a better performance in their last Sunday’s league match against Chicken Inn at Sakubva Stadium, which the Gem Boys won by a solitary goal.
Coming into Sunday’s encounter, Tapera’s job was on the line, and the former Young Warriors gaffer must have heaved a huge sigh of relief after watching his charges masterminding Chicken Inn’s first defeat of the season on home turf.
Tapera was facing the dreaded chop after his team drew once and lost thrice in their opening four matches of the 2024 Castle Lager Premiership season.
However, with a bit of luck, Manica Diamonds could have won the encounter by a wide margin, but their strikers continue to be a big let-down, lacking the cutting edge in front of goals.
Resilience finally paid off for Tapera’s boys in the 72 minute, when a lively second-half substitute, Michael Tapera darted into the box from the right with the ball firmly under control and tapped it across the face of goal.
Fortune Bhinzi who was on the other end sent it back for Tapera to shove it home from close range, giving the Gem Boys a deserved lead, which also turned out to be the only goal of the afternoon.
Tapera reckoned that his team was in control of the game from the first whistle to the end.
“The game was played in a high intensity mood and we defended well. Our transition from defence to attack was very fast. We had chances in the first half that we could had buried, but that one goal we got was enough to give us the three points at stake. We controlled the game from the start to finish, and I am happy with the concentration and confidence exuded by my boys. We hope to get better with each outing going forward,” said Tapera. The former Black Rhinos gaffer deliberately opted against commenting about the prospect of losing his job due to poor results.
“I have a big and promising project with Manica Diamonds FC leadership. I don’t know where this issue of wielding the axe if the team loses a game or two is coming from. I do not think we should talk about it,” he said.
Asked whether the non-appearance of Kuda Mahachi on the team’s sheet on Sunday following some cameo roles in the previous two encounters meant the former Warriors’ star was a spent force, Tapera quipped: “Kuda Mahachi is working very hard to get to the level where the other players are physically. Remember, he did not attend our preseason training. We shall continue to push him and we will play him when we feel he is ready.”
On the encounter against Herentals College this coming weekend, Tapera said they will take it like any other game.
“It is another tricky match again away to Herentals. The Students have established themselves as one of the most seasoned and consistent teams in the league. We shall prepare well for that match. We will go there with our heads high after our first win of the season,” he said.