Troubled Shabanie Mine have appointed Arnold Jani as their caretaker coach ahead of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against early pacesetters Caps United on Saturday.
The former Masvingo United and Shabanie Mine midfielder, who was assistant to Saul Chaminuka, was given the reins yesterday. Team patron Patson Mataga revealed the latest developments at his club on Thursday.
Chaminuka, along with the whole executive, was given the boot last week after two consecutive poor results which saw them losing to Highlanders and Chicken Inn, leaving the asbestos miners anchoring the log.
Jani will be assisted by Andrew Chisunga and Elvis Muuya.
Mataga also revealed that Webster Chitonho had been appointed executive chairman, taking over from Wilfred Makazhe.
Fidelis Chimedza was appointed vice-chairman while Marlon Gundungwa was re-appointed treasurer.
Mapange Shava retained his post as team manager while Edmore Chandakasarira was appointed secretary.
Fortunate Chirongoma, Joseph Maphosa and Mutsa Chitoro are the three committee members in the new executive.
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But it is Jani who should be feeling the more heat, as his first assignment is against high-flying Caps United.
Sources told NewsDay Sport on Thursday that Jani was given the Caps United match as a test and if he manages to pull a cat out of his bag and get a positive result, he would be given the job permanently.
However, the task could prove to be very intricate for Jani as he is meeting a team that has found a new sense of belief since the beginning of the season.
Moses Chunga’s already well-oiled machine has banged in a total of 10 goals to top the log in these early stages of the season.
Chunga’s ability to transform the potential in his teams into high achievement on the field has been his greatest feat this far.
Rookie Simba Sithole has been transformed from another Shooting Stars striker last season to become one of the most feared players in the land.
The Under-20 forward has hit four goals in two games and is showing no signs of turning back.
Evans Gwekwerere, who had became a liability at Dynamos last season, is back to his lethal form that saw him terrorising defenders before being lured by the rand to South Africa.
The former Douglas Warriors striker is enjoying the game of his life at Caps United while Pride Tafirenyika, who spent the better part of Lloyd Chitembwe’s reign at Caps United warming the bench, has been rejuvenated overnight.
The pint-sized midfielder has chipped in with very important goals in his team’s quick start to the season.
However, if there is one area that Chunga should work on, it is his defence which is leaking like a sieve.
The backline has struggled against relatively small teams like Shooting Stars and Zimbabwe Saints, conceding five goals.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixtures
Saturday: Black Mambas vs Zimbabwe Saints (Morris Depot Stadium), Shooting Stars vs Blue Ribbon Stars (Gwanzura), Caps United vs Shabanie Mine (Rufaro Stadium), Chicken Inn vs Gunners (Luveve Stadium), FC Platinum vs Monomotapa (Maglas Stadium)
Sunday: Motor Action vs Dynamos (Rufaro), Highlanders vs Masvingo United (Barbourfields), Kiglon vs Hwange (Gwanzura)
