The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
DESPITE losing six games – two of them against FC Platinum and Highlanders in 48 hours – out of nine, Mutare City Rovers gaffer Joseph “Shabba” Takaringofa is not worried and insists he has tact to stir the side out of relegation by the end of the premiership season.
Mutare City Rovers have lost six of their league matches, drew three and won one – raising strong fears that Gusha Bhora will kiss the league a bye at the end of the season if results on pitch continue to be elusive.
However, in an interview on Wednesday following his side’s defeat by Highlanders the previous day, Takaringofa put up a brave face saying the talk of relegation was premature.
He said the consecutive losses against FC Platinum and Highlanders were not serious setback as his team displayed a good brand of football.
The gaffer said his aim and focus was now to collect maximum points against Black Rhinos.
Gusha Bhora will host Black Rhinos at Vengere Stadium on Sunday – a game they must win at all costs to enhance their chances of retaining a slot in the elite league next season.
Shabba maintained that he was unperturbed by the defeat to Highlanders as his players played impressive football.
“We lost to Highlanders, yes, but it is not like the boys played badly. Sometimes as a coach you have to look at the calibre of the team that you lost to. The boys played very well, and it was just unfortunate that lady luck did not smile at us. Big teams will remain big teams and Highlanders is one of those teams. Highlanders are a good side. It has nothing to do with the boys’ fitness because all of them are very fit.
“I am not reading too much into the last two defeats, I am actually happy with the way the players responded to the tactics. It’s only that we created some mistakes here and there and we got punished.
“When it comes to the issue of being relegated candidates, as a coach I am not worried about that at all. I am just proud of the way the boys are playing though the results are still to come our way. It is premature to talk of that at this juncture,” said Takaringofa.
Takaringofa insists he will make a major surgery in his squad as he expects nothing short of maximum points.
“We have now shifted our focus to the Black Rhinos game. We have to collect maximum points at all costs. We do not have any choice other than collecting the three set of points against Black Rhinos. There is not much difference between them and us. We will also bank on the home advantage. We urge all our supporters to come and cheer the boys, especially when the chips are down. We will deliver the goods. It is just unfortunate that the desired results have been slow to come despite the team displaying a good brand of attacking football,” he said.
