Dark cloud over Sunshine Boys

By Langton Nyakwenda

HARARE – Taurai Mangwiro’s performance appraisal at star-studded Harare City paints him in bad light. Bagging 17 points out of a possible 36 — which translates to a 47,2 percent success rate — and sitting ninth on the log is the uncomfortable couch Mangwiro finds himself on.

A robust approach on the market during the pre-season saw the former Masvingo United and Caps United coach luring some of the finest players in the land.

A cast including 2014 Soccer Star of the Year finalists Temba Ndlovu and Tendai Samanja, experienced goalie Tafadzwa Dube as well as Nicholas Alifandika and Honey Chimutimunzeve arrived at the Sunshine Boys.

The recruitment drive extended to the bench, with Mangwiro coming to Harare City in the company of trusted lieutenants Mike “Micky Dread” Madzivanyika, Mkhupali “Mr Cooper” Masuku and former Warriors’ goalkeeping coach Richard Tswatswa.

Mangwiro, who did well at cash-strapped Caps United last season, was expected to get Harare City firing on all cylinders.

His working conditions dramatically improved at the Sunshine Boys, in comparison to the torrid time at Makepekepe.

However, results haven’t been coming as expected and Harare City — who got their season off to a disastrous start with a 0-1 home defeat to promoted Tsholotsho FC — are in the lower order going into today’s league clash against Dongo Sawmill in Rusape.

Mangwiro has won three points less than he captured at a troubled Caps United at this juncture last season.

The eloquent former teacher knows it is time his boys start picking up points.

“The best possible way to repay the support we are getting from the executive and the conducive environment we are operating in is turning on the show and putting points on the board.

“However, I have no reason to panic at this juncture; we still have a long way to go. We find ourselves where we are today not because we have performed badly, but we have just been unable to finish off opponents,” said Mangwiro after one of his team’s training sessions at Dzivaresekwa Stadium in Harare last week.

Although Mangwiro ruled out new additions in the mid-season window, he hinted at axing one or two players, while giving the new boys time to settle.

“We are coming from a season where the club survived relegation on the last day, so we needed to make a number of changes, including bringing in a number of players.

“These players came from different clubs and need time to adjust. They have done relatively well so far, but we are asking for more.

“I have heard that we have an expensively assembled squad, but I disagree. That is one of the major problems we have, people expect wonders because they say we splashed money in the market, but reality is most of the players we signed were free agents. So, the correct thing to say is ours is a formidable and competitive side, not expensively assembled,” said Mangwiro.

City will play Dongo Sawmill, a revived Caps United and Flame Lily before the first half of the season closes and their coach is confident his team will show character in the second stanza.

“I have seen some positives, especially after the 2-0 victory over Chapungu last week and I can declare that we can finish in the top six or better.

“We have done very well against the in-form teams; remember we are one of the two teams to have beaten log leaders Chicken Inn. In fact, of all the matches we have played, only Triangle gave us a torrid time. My worry is we have tended to struggle against the lowly-placed teams.”

Despite his poor statistics, Mangwiro enjoys the support of the City executive led by Alois Masepe.

“To us, it is so far so good. Tau can take us where we want to be, that is a top six finish. Let me emphasise that we are not in a hurry to win the league title this year as most people think; we are more concerned with building a strong foundation for Harare City Football Club.

“Our vision is to build a strong and professional club that has roots from the junior structures; one that will in years to come be a perennial competitor both domestically and in Africa,” said Masepe. The Sunday Mail