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Gift Muzadzi

Oscar Rusenga in Triangle and Takudzwa Chitsiga in Harare
STRUGGLING Premiership outfit Triangle have fired their goalkeepers’ coach Gift “Umbro’’ Muzadzi and handed head coach Biggie Zuze and the rest of his technical crew a two-match ultimatum or risk facing the chop.
Muzadzi was shown the door for refusing to accept the two-game ultimatum in which Triangle are expected to secure six points against Harare City at home and Chicken Inn away as the club’s management turned the screws on the coaches.

The former Warriors skipper and goalkeeper had previously been suspended by Triangle for declining to append his signature to another ultimatum and he served two months on the sidelines.

But it seems the relationship between the coach and the club broke down for good this time around as Muzadzi declined to take responsibility for Triangle’s poor run which has seen the Sugar Sugar Boys hanging just above the relegation zone.

When Muzadzi refused to sign another performance-based contract in June, he argued that there were no clauses in his contract which referred to ultimatums to get points or risk being fired.

It was Muzadzi’s contention too that he was just a goalkeepers’ coach and could thus not be held responsible for Triangle’s overall performance which he believes is the task of the head coach.

“I cannot sign the ultimatum because my department is just goalkeeping and my boys are doing good. I am not the one with the responsibility of arranging defence, midfielders and strikers, but I put my input which is up to the coach to implement or not,’’ said Muzadzi earlier in June.

Muzadzi was reinstated on July 29 ahead of their match against Bantu, which Triangle won 3-2.
Triangle boss Lovemore Matikinyidze, however, insisted on a two-match ultimatum to collect maximum points against Harare City at home and away to Chicken Inn and Zuze and his assistant Lovemore Dzoro, who appear confident they will grind the needed results and accepted the conditions and signed.

Muzadzi declined to discuss the latest fallout with the club.
“We had some misunderstanding but I cannot comment much on the issue until tomorrow’’’ said Muzadzi.

While Triangle have their own problems with coaches unsure of their future it will be a different story at CAPS United where the Green Machine will travel to Kadoma on Saturday for a clash against in-form Black Rhinos needing to redeem themselves.

CAPS United assistant coach Mike Madzivanyika yesterday said his side could not afford to drop points the way they fluffed their chances in a 0-0 draw against How Mine at Rufaro last Sunday.

That result sparked outrage in the hooligan section of their fans who were baying for coach Taurai Mangwiro’s blood.
Madzivanyika said although they had slipped four points behind old enemies Dynamos there was still to plenty to play for in the title race, which he said was still very open.

“We are still within the reach of the championship, but the problem during this stage of the race is the objective of every team.
“For us as CAPS we just need to gain as much points as possible and at least remain in contention until the end of the season. We still have a chance and we only need to focus on the remaining games and keep within a touching distance of the leading pack.

“The thing is clubs have different objectives considering where they are standing on the log table. Some teams are aiming at the championship while others will be looking forward to end the season on a respectable position so it is tricky.

“As for Rhinos they have been doing well in the past matches and their home record says it, but we are taking the game seriously. There is no room for us to drop points at this point so we are preparing hard for the match,” Madzivanyika said.

Although they lost 1-2 to ZPC Kariba, Rhinos have been a different side at Rimuka where they have been a tough opposition for any visiting team and CAPS United could learn the hard way on Saturday.

There will be a Bulawayo derby on the cards at Hartsfield when Joey Antipas’ Chicken Inn square off against How Mine.
Former Motor Action manager Antipas said he was bracing for a tough afternoon against the miners and noted that derby clashes were always difficult assignments.
“It will be our second derby within a week so we are preparing for it well as it is a crucial game.

“We played at home last week and managed to come up with a win which will work as a motivation to my side. Derby encounters are always tricky as the players know each other well and will be looking forward to prove a point.

“We will take the game seriously as it will count for us at the end of the season,” Antipas said.
Antipas was hopeful that gangly midfielder Bhekhimpilo Ncube will recover from injury in time for the game.

“We are only worried by Ncube who suffered a hamstring and we hope he will recover in time for the weekend fixture. The rest of the team is so far in shape and I believe we will get to the match day with a full squad.

“We have depth but having everyone fit will give you a good pool to select your best team,” Antipas said.
Chicken Inn are targeting at least a top four finish while How Mine are also n0t yet out of the woods.