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Moses Chunga

Grace Chingoma : Senior Sports Reporter

HARARE City coach Moses “Bambo” Chunga says some challenges at the club are distracting his team to focus on the task at hand and has appealed for patience as they battle to find their way out of the woods. The Sunshine Boys face ZPC Kariba this afternoon in a mid-week clash at Rufaro. There have been many reports about the spectacular fallout between the coach and four players — Themba Ndlovu, Tafadzwa Dube, Tendai Samanja and Raphael Manuvire.Manuvire has since stopped training with the team and is angling for a move away from the Sunshine City Boys.

Reports have suggested that Chunga could be on his way out and club official, Hope Chizuzu, told the weekly GamePlan football magazine show on ZTV on Monday night that the club’s leadership were looking for solutions after a miserable run.

Chunga claimed some player agents and coaches were putting him under pressure as they were always knocking at some officials’ offices at Town House requesting their players or relatives to be given a chance to play at the club.

“There has been a bit of distraction, but people should remember that I was told by the club to make decisions which are in the best interests of the club and not individuals,” said Chunga.

“I don’t set the team considering seniority, but because someone will do his best for the club.

“I would also appreciate if some agents and some coaches who are pestering me to have their players or sons considered for trials or a place in the team to give me space and let the club play football.

“It is just too much and people should learn to respect someone when he is doing his job.”

Chunga conceded that his team needs to bounce back quickly.

“Our position on the log is not good and we have to start winning as the games are getting fewer,” he said. “The whole team is performing at a higher level, but what is left is to hit the back of the nets.”

Chunga says the lack of goals was not confined to his club only, but the whole league was struggling to find players who can score regularly.

“We are halfway through the season, but the top goalscorer has only seven goals, which is not good enough,” he said.

The Sunshine Boys are out to complete a double over their opponents whom they beat 1-0 at Nyamhunga. ZPC Kariba gaffer Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa said they considered Harare City to be their bogey side.

“They beat us in Kariba so it is not an easy game for us. They usually trouble us whenever we play them, but having said that we played twice against Dynamos (and drew both matches) and I think our team has improved,” said Chidzambwa.

“We are struggling to find the nets, but the goals will come.”

Both clubs did not make any acquisitions during the transfer window.

ZPC Kariba lost midfielder Wisdom Mutasa who joined Harare giants Dynamos.

In today’s game, Chidzambwa will be without veteran defender Thomas Sweswe, who limped off with a knee injury at Monday’s training session.

Another defender, Lincoln Zvasiya, also remains sidelined with a knock.