Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
MANICA Diamonds are seeking to continue their winning streak as they date FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Mandava Stadium this Saturday.
For the first time in three seasons, the Gem Boys managed to win their first match of the season after overcoming Yadah one-nil at Sakubva Stadium last week.
The arrival of Ghanaian attacker, Emmanuel Paga and winger Issa Sadiki from Dynamos, and the duo of Ransom Pavari and Lawrence Mhlanga from FC Platinum has given the Gems Boys hope.
“The win against Yadah FC is giving us more energy to continue producing positive results. We have a setback where Liberty Masvaure had a fracture while Ransom Pavari has an angle injury. We have players to fill up the positions as we aim for a win.
“Our team is very strong in defense as we have our goalkeeper Tedious Baye, and defenders who include Lawrence Mhlanga, Farai Banda, Ask Rupande, Chipo Tsodzo among others. In the past two seasons, we were failing to win the first game of the season but this time around we have managed to win. This gives us hope to have a good season as we aim to be champions. We ended last season on number four and we want to improve from that position to finish on number one or two,” Manica Diamonds Head Coach, Jairos Tapera said.
The Mutare-based outfit will miss the services of utility Rainsome Pavari who joined from FC Platinum this year, while defender Liberty Masvaure is also nursing a fracture.
Manica Diamond fans are optimistic of a good season but warned their team against complacency when they face FC Platinum.
“We are happy with the team but there is need to improve on our attacking department. We need to score goals and we have a tough game with FC Platinum away. We need to play offensive football to win the match,” a football supporter said.
“We are looking forward to a big game but we have a winning record when playing FC Platinum. As much as it is a difficult game, we are highly likely to win the game and seal our fate for this season. We would be excited by acquiring 6 points in the first two games of the season,” a Manica Diamond fan said.
“I have great confidence that our team will perform. The team should work harder this season,” another football supporter said.
Meanwhile, Coach Tapera says the premier soccer league is getting stronger, buoyed by improved sponsorship, hence the concerted efforts for his side to improve on its game performance.
