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Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

TAKESURE CHIRAGWI has no time to reflect on what went wrong for the Warriors who were humbled by Kenya’s Harambee Stars in a Four Nation invitational tournament final in Malawi on Tuesday.

He was the assistant coach to Norman Mapeza in the interim technical team set-up for the contest which also featured the hosts and Zambia. But Chiragwi won’t have much time to reflect over that disappointment as he heads straight to Ngezi Platinum’s dug-out to search for the defending champions’ first win of the season. The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season enters Week Three today and tomorrow with several potential thrillers lined up across the country.

Ngezi Platinum Stars have failed to win in their opening two fixtures and they will be out to pick a positive result against ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga this afternoon.

Opening their season with a frustrating 0-0 draw against newcomers Arenel Movers three weeks ago, the Mhondoro team came out bruised in their 2-0 defeat to FC Platinum a fortnight ago.

And they now have to ensure leaders of FC Platinum do not stretch the gap further to limit catch-up pressure on themselves.

Chiragwi’s second-in-charge Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva has been drilling the platinum miners and he is positive the lads will deliver the goods this afternoon.

“My head coach Takesure Chiragwi will be joining us in Kariba but we are already on our way,” said Mutiwekuziva.

“We have been working with the team in his absence and everything went on very well. The hunger and the determination that the boys have been displaying give us the belief and confidence that we will be up for the points against ZPC Kariba.

“I am impressed with their attitude. We have played two games and managed to pick up a single point and that is a cause for concern on our part.

“We need to come out of our shell and start picking positive results. We need to get our season moving and that should start in the match against ZPC Kariba.

“Everyone is aware of the challenge that we are facing against ZPC Kariba who are three points ahead of us but we are prepared for the task.” Ngezi Platinum Stars started slowly last season after picking only four points in their opening four games.

But they still recovered and went on to pick up fine form towards mid-season and eventually claimed their maiden league title.

Mutiwekuziva reckons not all seasons are the same and the team should put their season back on track.

“We have already started the season on a slow note but we are working to try and put it back on track. Ngezi Platinum Stars are a big team and we need to show that.