Trying times for Shabba

IT HAS been a nightmarish start to the 2018 Castle Lager Premiership season for Mutare City Rovers coach Joseph Takaringofa — amassing a paltry five points out of 30 — and things seem not getting any better with his team facing very tough league assignments in their next three weeks.

With only one win to show from their past six league matches, Gusha Bhora will travel to Mhondoro to face Ngezi Platinum before they return to Vengere to host FC Platinum.

In the third assignment, City Rovers entertain Highlanders away from home. However, Shabba, as Takaringofa is fondly referred to by those who believe in his coaching prowess, still believes that his charges will pull up their socks and deliver.

He said he is not moved by the toughest possible three games ahead. He is quite aware by the danger posed by Ngezi FC but he said he is treating them as just like any other team in the league.

“Ngezi is just like any other team in the league. The only difference with us is that they had a very good start to the 2018 season. We do not have any pressure at all and my boys are going to play our normal game. If we collect even a single point, it will be good for us.

‘After Ngezi Platinum, we will play host to FC Platinum. For now we cannot talk much about that match. We will cross the river when we get there. We will have a new game plan altogether. We hope to collect maximum points since we will be home. Highlanders are a big team but I think we will do our level best to collect maximum points,” he said.

Shabba has a mammoth task ahead of him if he is to turn the team’s fortunes around anytime soon.

He was given four matches to prove he deserves the job on a full time basis and last week’s match against Bulawayo Chiefs had done him a huge favour.

Mutare City Rovers have won just once in six league games, have drawn twice and lost four.