Branton Matondo
With just five fixtures before the conclusion of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League 2022 season, Mutare-based premiership outfit Manica Diamonds have parted ways with coach Johanisi Nhumwa and replaced him with Jairos Tapera.
Tapera who has been on the radar for quite a while, moving from one club to another in short stints, has been appointed as a new Gem boys (as Manica Diamonds is known in football circles) head coach following a Nhumwa era marred by dismal performances worsened by last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Harare giants Dynamos FC.
The Midlands-based Tapera leaves Lowveld side Triangle United as he moves to the far east in a much anticipated move proved to be medicinal to the ailing performance by Manica Diamonds.
In an official statement dated October 3, 2022, Manica Diamonds FC communications department confirmed the dismissal of Nhumwa.
“Manica Diamonds Football Club would like to inform all its stakeholders that the club has parted ways with head coach Johanisi Nhumwa and his technical team by mutual agreement. We sincerely appreciate the services rendered by the technical team to the club and we wish them well in their future endevours.
“Meanwhile the club has appointed Jairos Tapera as the new substantive head coach and will be assisted by Tafadzwa Mashiri, Patrick Mandizha and Thembinkosi Sibanda. Ticharambana Zikai remains the team manager,” read the statement.
With five games left to finally wrap up the season, some Manica Diamonds supporters had a few words to say about the move.
The first supporter who asked for anonymity cried out on the absence of local talent in the Manicaland based PSL side.
“I am a diehard supporter of Manica Diamonds and we have been supporting this team since their time in lower division (division 1). It’s good to have Mutare bred people coaching the team and raising the bar. Even if they fail to lift the team, it’s logical because the club would have already shown that they are supporting the locals,” said the fan.
Another supporter who was identified as John Tabuka said the overhaul/change of the technical department is uncalled for.
“To bring in a new team of coaches without any continuation in the technical department is very bad for the team. The incoming technical team needed some guys who had already been on the ground,” said Tabuka.
The new Manica Diamonds gaffer has coached Zvishavane side Shabanie Mine, Gweru based side Sheasham, FC Platinum and off late Triangle United.
Meanwhile Walter Musona silenced Babourfields’s Soweto end as Fc Platinum got the better of Highlanders 3-2 as the former consolidated their grip in the title race where Dynamos seems to have surrendered following a spate of inconsistent outings.
The horrors haunting Zpc Kariba continued to bloom as they fell 3 nil against Ngezi Platinum.
Struggling Bulawayo City proved to be a pale shadow of themselves as they were thumbed 3 nil by Chicken Inn in a derby game.
Bulawayo Chiefs saw off a troubled Whawha side with a 2 nil score line.
Harare City went past Black Rhinos 2-1 while Tenax who have been surviving on hand outs eased past through Yadah FC.
