Chaminuka exceeded expectations last season by guiding the unfashionable Mashonaland West outfit to an improbable title challenge which lasted right until the very final match. That this happened in their debut top-flight season, and with a bunch of players most of whom were mere rejects from fellow premiership teams, made Chaminuka’s fit even more astounding. But the fact that the team has so far failed to reach the same heights has convinced the Kariba hierarchy that it is now time to get rid of Chaminuka.
Clearly, if ZPC Kariba had merely met its target of surviving relegation last season with a mid-table finish, their inconsistent start to the new campaign would not have been viewed as such a disaster, and Chaminuka might have kept his job.
In truth, his dismissal after just eight matches has looked a tad premature. Granted, Kariba’s 10 points at the time of Chaminuka’s departure placed them closer to the relegation zone than the top of the table where they spend much of their time last year.
But their performances have not been that disastrous especially given the resources at Chaminuka’s disposal, and the new players he was blending in after some high-profile departures.
Midfielder Raphael Manuvire has returned from injury drive the team with his creativity and goals while captain Tawanda Munyaduri has also put in some impressive shifts. But with goalkeeper Tatenda Hove still injured and last season’s Player of the Year Dennis Dauda often struggling, Chaminuka had little else to rely on and challenge the likes of Chicken Inn and Triangle at the top of the standings.
His only hope was to mould a cohesive team and that needed a bit of time. The ZPC Kariba hierarchy however had other ideas.
Post published in: Football