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Sports Reporter

EXPERIENCED football coach Mark Mathe has taken over the reins at ambitious ZIFA Northern Region Soccer League club Golden Eagles as interim head coach.

Mathe, who has been working as part of the backroom staff for the past few months, was elevated to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Gilbert Mushangazhike, who left the side yesterday after just six games into the new season. 

The club announced the development after Saturday’s goalless home draw against Banket. 

“Golden Eagles Football Club would like to officially announce the departure of Head Coach Gilbert Mushangazhike by mutual consent,” said Golden Eagles in a statement.

Mushangazhike had started off slowly this season. He left the team in seventh place with 10 points from six games. 

They have won three games, drawn one and lost two. Ngezi Under-19, who beat Black Mambas 2-1 in a top of the table clash at the weekend, currently lead the pack with 15 points. 

Mushangazhike, who is holder of a CAF B Licence and Holland Discovery International coaching badges had just begun his second season with the team in the second tier league. 

The former Zimbabwe international led the side to the Axis Solutions Cup and a third place finish in the league marathon behind champions Simba Bhora and Herentals Under-20, who finished in second place. 

He had joined the team in March last year as head coach, replacing Joel Lupahla who was sacked early into the season before moving to Premier Soccer League giants Highlanders. 

Mushangazhike had previously coached Golden Eagles in 2019 when the team was in Division Two. He had coached Botswana Premiership side Black Forest before returning home to join Eagles. 

“The club expresses its gratitude to Coach Mushangazhike for his hard work, dedication and contribution to the team during his tenure in charge, and wishes him well in his future endeavours. 

“Assistant Coach Mark Mathe will take over as interim Head Coach and lead the team in the upcoming crucial assignments against Chinhoyi Stars and MWOS FC,” the statement continued. 

“The club is confident in coach Mathe’s abilities and is committed to supporting him and the team.” 

Before joining Eagles late last year, Mathe has had previous experience coaching Premiership giants Highlanders and CAPS United. 

In fact, he was part of the Green Machine technical team led by Lloyd Chitembwe when Makepekepe won the 2016 Premiership title and progressed to the mini-league stage of the CAF Champions League the following year. 

He was also involved with Bulawayo Chiefs and Harare City in the Premiership and had stints with Talen Vision and Zimbabwe Saints in the ZIFA Southern Region Division One. 

Ruyamuro Northern Region 

Soccer League results:

Friday: Herentals 3-1 Concession

Saturday: PAM FC 1-0 Trojan, Eagles 0-0 Banket

Chegutu 1-0 Chinhoyi, MWOS 1-1 ZRP Harare, Mambas 2-1 Ngezi Under-19, Omnia FC 1-1 Karoi, Bullets 2- 1 Shamva

Sunday: Come Again 0-1 Harare City