Ndiraya takes over at Ngezi

By Eddie Chikamhi

Former Dynamos midfielder Tonderai Ndiraya is excited to be back in mainstream football after he was confirmed as head coach at struggling Premiership newboys Ngezi Platinum Stars yesterday.

Ndiraya will replace Clifton Kadurira who was reassigned to the position of assistant coach.

But he will wait until next Monday to start his duties, which means he misses the side’s tough outing against his former employers Dynamos at Rufaro on Sunday.

Ndiraya had been frozen out since January when the DeMbare leadership gambled with the decision not to give him the coaching post after having taken over from David Mandigora on an interim basis and finishing second in the Premiership race.

“Obviously, I am happy to get such a big job. It’s an honour to coach a professional club such as Ngezi Platinum Stars. They could be new in the Premiership but the most important thing is they are a big brand.

“So I am excited, I look forward to a lot of positives. Of course, most of the players are new to the Premiership and we should expect them to step up their performance to the standards befitting such a big brand,” said Ndiraya.

Club chairman Jeremiah Gasiteni yesterday said they decided to reassign Kadurira in order to save their campaign.

The fate of Kadurira’s assistants Joseph Takaringofa and goalkeepers’ coach Zondai Nyaungwa lies in Ndiraya’s hands.

“If you look at our position on the log standings, it doesn’t reflect well. Two wins in nine games isn’t good enough,” said Gasiteni.

“We have said it from the start that our target this year is to survive relegation and with the way the results have not been coming, we didn’t want to wait until it was late to make the changes.

“We don’t want to be relegated, simple as that.

“And for a smooth changeover, Kadurira will take charge of the next match against Dynamos and then, when Ndiraya starts work on Monday, he (Kadurira) will remain in the technical team as assistant.

“But going forward it will be up to the new coach to decide who he wants to work with.”

Ndiraya will be given the rope to beef up the squad when the mid-season transfer window opens next month.

Already a number of experienced players have been linked with moves to the club, among them Warriors goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.

Sources said the CAPS United midfield duo of Cabby Kamhapa and Allan Gahadzikwa could be the other targets.

Bernard’s handlers at Aces Youth Academy yesterday gave strong indications that the young goalkeeper was contemplating to move from How Mine where he has remained in the shadows of experienced Munyaradzi Diya.

One of the directors of Aces Youth Academy, Nigel Munyati, yesterday said they have been talking to How Mine over outstanding contractual issues but the negotiations are taking long to conclude.

“Nothing is definite at the moment but there is a big possibility that he could move. It’s not like he was unhappy because of lack of game time. It’s just a coincidence.

“But there are some contractual issues with the club which have been going on for long and we feel we should move on,” said Munyati. The Herald