Manica magic dazzles PSL
THERE is something crazy about the game of football — perhaps that is where its beauty lies!
The first four rounds of the 2024 Castle Lager Premiership matches saw Manica Diamonds lying in the relegation zone on the log table — having conceded seven goals in four matches.
In fact, after Match Day Three, Manica Diamonds anchored the log table.
Amid speculation over his job, their coach, Jairos Tapera, even admitted that failing to get a win in the opening four matches of the season was worrisome.
At that point, Tapera felt that the team’s defence was their weakest link.
“As the head coach, I am very worried about the way we have been conceding, especially in our first two games, but we have been working very hard on that area (defence) and what we now need is to improve on our confidence,” he said then.
Fast forward to five weekends, Manica Diamonds eased into the second position on the log table after an impressive five matches unbeaten run.
And last Sunday, second half super substitute, Michael Tapera blasted a hard and low shot off a rebound after a corner kick to give Manica Diamonds their first triumph over
FC Platinum since joining the Premiership, and also their fifth victory on the bounce.
Against all odds, the club has been winning home and away, much to the amusement of Tapera.
“We always attribute everything to God who has blessed us as a team to work and understand each other. These boys are all my sons. We have a father and son relationship, and always reflect on previous games and try to find information on our next opponents so that we can work on ways to overcome them.
“We are a team full of ambitions, we really want to win something as a team,” said Tapera.
He believes the change of fortunes has been a direct result of shear hard work by all members of the team.
“Every member of our team is putting a very strong performance. Yes, we can mention a few, but that will not take away what every player has put in, even those not selected on a particular day still work hard at training,” he said.
The former Young Warriors gaffer admitted that winger, Michael Tapera was in a terrific form.
Apart from sharing the same surname and team, the two namesakes are not biologically related.
Apart from speedy winger, Tapera, who is nicknamed Chimudhudhudhu, goalkeeper, Godfrey Chitsumba has also been a vital cog in their transformation.
Interestingly, it is the same defence that a few weeks ago has been leaking goals like a sieve, which has transformed into the solid bedrock of Tapera’s success story.
“Yes, Michael Tapera has done very well for us with three goals in five matches. We also have Farai Banda who has two goals in as many matches.
We have our defence which has done very well with only a goal conceded in the last five matches. We also have our goalkeeper who has garnered four clean sheets in five matches,” he said.
Manica Diamonds will face ZPC Kariba in their next assignment, and Tapera fully understands the threat posed by Kauya Kuturuturu.
“It is very difficult to maintain form. We are going to ZPC Kariba, and this is even a more difficult assignment, considering that they have been performing very well in their recent matches. They have been posting impressive results at home and away.
“We respect them a lot, but we are preparing and taking that match like any other important away game. We are going there to compete and give it all our best to get a positive result,” said Tapera.