The ManicaPost
Ray Bande –Senior Sports Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premiership basement outfit Mutare City Rovers have fired head coach Joseph Takafingofa and negotiations to replace him with Rodwell Dhlakama are at an advanced stage.
Former Warriors goalkeepers coach Ndega Matsika is conducting the team’s training sessions as head coach on interim basis.
Gusha Bhora, as City Rovers are fondly referred to by their fans, will be without Takaringofa on the bench a few weeks after the club also fired Kenny Kachara, who was also assisting Takaringofa.
Although City Rovers were also understood to be courting Saul Chaminuka as a possible replacement for Takaringofa, it is Dhlakama who appears to have won the hearts of those in the corridors of power at the club.
Mutare City Rovers spokesperson Clayton Masekesa has confirmed that the club has relieved the former Tanganda FC midfielder of his duties as head coach.
“Following a full executive meeting held on Monday 28 May 2018 the Mutare City FC Executive Committee has resolved to relieve Joseph Takaringofa as head coach of Mutare City Rovers FC with immediate effect. Also relieved of his duties is fitness trainer Itai Makumi.
“The new coach is Rodwell Dhlakama and will be assisted by Ndega Matsika. The team manager is Lyndon Kanyemba,” read a statement from Masekesa.
However, Dhlakama, who was in the eastern border city on Wednesday, did not confirm having sealed a deal with the struggling Mutare outfit.
“My position is that I am still with Chapungu and I am sorry I cannot comment further than that,” he said.
On a number of occasions, Dhlakama’s name has been linked with Mutare City Rovers by a considerable section of Mutare fans who believe in the capabilities of the Chipinge born former Zupco Mutare player.
