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Soul Chaminuka

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka believes the season has just begun for the new-boys as they face a difficult path to the finishing line with matches against seasoned campaigners in the last seven games.The league’s surprise packages took advantage of the slip-up by leaders Dynamos and Highlanders to move back into second position at the weekend. ZPC Kariba beat Black Rhinos 2-1 at Gwanzura to move to within two points of leaders Dynamos, who were held to a goalless draw by FC Platinum at Mandava.

DeMbare top the chats with 43 points while Kariba are now on 41, with seven games remaining.

But with Highlanders coming up next and matches against Dynamos, CAPS United, FC Platinum and Harare City, this will not be an easy ride for Chaminuka’s men.

“We started with the strongest and now we finish with the strongest. I am sure we have played all those who may be regarded as weaker opponents,” said Chaminuka. “For me the season now starts with the next game against Highlanders and from there we will face seasoned campaigners in almost all the remaining games.

“I know how difficult these games will be and if you ask me how I see it, I can tell you that we are now beginning our season. My boys, the members of the technical team and I have got to start thinking hard about what we need to do going forward.

“We have to show that what we did against those teams in the first round was not a fluke. We have to do things right, I know it has been quite a hectic season but the players need to summon all their energies for the remaining seven games.

“This is the time intelligent administrators know what to do to motivate the players because this is no longer about the coach and the players alone,” said Chaminuka.

Defending champions Dynamos still look comfortable at the top of the table despite their goalless draw at FC Platinum.

The Harare giants are unbeaten in their last 12 Premiership games.

DeMbare have played most of the big teams and are probably left with only their challenging task against Harare City and giant killers ZPC Kariba in their last seven games.

They also have dates against Shabanie Mine, Buffaloes, Chapungu, Bantu Rovers and How Mine.

However, club chairman Kenny Mubaiwa said the Glamour Boys were looking to wrap up another championship to make it four in succession.

“We have tricky games in our way.  Remember that these small teams are the ones that usually trouble us.  They always want to spoil the party so we will be on our toes.

“This year we also don’t want any team to play for us. We don’t want to win through mathematics like what has been happening in the previous seasons.

“We don’t want calculators to be brought out so we are aiming to maintain our position at the top,” said Mubaiwa.

CAPS United were held to a 0-0 draw by How Mine while Highlanders lost 1-0 to Harare City. Both teams fell four points behind Dynamos on the log table with 39 points.

Kariba coach Chaminuka said he didn’t want to include his team in the championship equation.

“I am happy we have reached the 40-point mark and from there we can rest assured that we have survived relegation this year.  Our aim now is to finish in the top eight or top four.

“I wouldn’t want to give ourselves a lot of false hope just because we are second on the log. I know at this point that is when experience comes into play.

“This is the stage teams like Dynamos, Highlanders or CAPS United use their experience to the maximum to get the advantage over smaller teams.

“It’s about experience. Everyone plays from the supporters, administrators and even the referees. So we don’t want to be over-excited because it takes only one defeat to change the course of things.

“Everything that we have worked for during the season could be lost. We have to remain cool-headed and focused, but then that’s the most difficult part. My job as coach is to make the players and everyone see the bigger picture and if we all play our part who knows, we may surprise even ourselves,” said Chaminuka.