The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
STUNG by a streak of poor results upon their return to top flight league football, basement outfit Mutare City Rovers are now scouting for a new coach to replace the incumbent and veteran gaffer Saul Chaminuka’s name has been thrown around within the teams’ corridors of power.
Chaminuka is no stranger to Mutare football after coaching several clubs based in the eastern border city that include the now defunct duo of Eastern Lions and Mutare United as well as Eastern Region Division One outfit Buffaloes.
Although Mutare City Rovers spokesperson Clayton Masekesa denied that there is talk of Chaminuka being roped into the team’s technical department, sources privy to the goings on in the club confided in Post Sport that some members of the executive believe the team needs an experienced coach like Chaminuka to survive relegation.
“We have not yet discussed that. When the time comes we will tell you. As a team yes we are very saddened and what we all want are good results. We are now focusing on avoiding relegation and we must now not waste time.
“Yes, we relieved Kennedy Kachara as a solution to get good results. Now Joseph Takaringofa has settled for draws in three matches and we will review his performance as the games progresses but the truth is time is not our side,” said Masekesa.
However, a senior club executive member, who requested anonymity, confirmed that some sections in the club management team are courting Chaminuka.
“People in the executive are concerned with the poor results. They do not want the team to be relegated again. Some have suggested that we bring in an experienced coach and Saul Chaminuka has been top on that list,” he said.
However, it remains to be seen whether Mutare City Rovers, with their well documented lack of financial and material resources, will be able to lure an experienced coach, let alone outspoken Chaminuka.
Apart from his admirable tactical shrewdness, the well travelled coach is known for his maverick behaviour as well as his demands for professional way of doing things in a team set up, something that is seriously lacking in the City Rovers camp.
Mutare City Rovers recently sacrificed assistant coach Kenny ‘Bokande’ Kachara as they blamed him for the team’s poor results but since his departure the team is yet to pick up maximum points.
They settled for a one all stalemate against fellow newboys Herentals at Vengere Stadium in a match that they could have easily walked away with maximum points had it not been of the diabolical match officiating decisions against the home team by Chiredzi referee Jimmy Mukwanda.
