Shabanie Mine coach Luke Masomere endured four days of mixed fortunes at Maglas Stadium when his side posted a 2-0 win over Zimbabwe Saints last Wednesday, before falling down 2-1 to Gunners on Sunday.
However, he believes his club will not be relegated come end of season.
Predictably, the result has also created mixed feelings within the ever-demanding Shabanie hardcore supporters, although it could still be early days to start writing off the nomadic tactician.
In the three league games he has been in charge of Chinda Boys since assuming duty on July 28, Masomere kicked off his reign with a 1-1 draw away at Shooting Stars before the two latest matches that were played inside four days.
On Sunday, he faced a Gunners side which is on the rise under another traveller Moses Chunga whose undoubted tactical acumen has seen him influencing Chando Kupisa.
Zvishavane had become a fertile hunting ground for Gunners after they also whipped flamboyant side FC Platinum 3-0 in May, but then under the guidance of Darlington Dodo.
Masomere, whose appointment at Shabanie — who are still languishing in the relegation zone — came with huge expectations as he had been tipped to breathe a new lease of life in the team’s lost soul.
Despite Sunday’s painful defeat, Shabanie went down gallantly fighting such that they deserved at least a point.
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But football can be a cruel game, a fact which Masomere has attested to. He maintained his boys gave their all in the match before once again declaring they would not get the chop come season end.
“We deserved to win, but it was just not our day. My players played very well with so much effort, but we were just not lucky. That is football for you. But one thing for sure is that we are not going to be relegated at the end of the season,” said Masomere.
Masomere, a former player at the asbestos miners, knows the club culture and says he was geared up to deliver to please the Shabanie ultras whom he has saluted for their support:
“I would like to thank all the fans for standing firm behind me since I came back here. I believe with their support we will do well,” he said.
The coming in of Masomere has seen Tafadzwa Mombeshora and veteran Lennon Chisunga reclaiming their places in the middle of the park while skipper Simon Shoko seems to be improving. Meanwhile, Rahman Gumbo posted his second loss of points after leaders FC Platinum were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe Saints at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
In eight games that Gumbo has been in charge he has lost only four points with the other two being surrendered in the 1-1 draw against Masvingo United on July 3 at Mucheke Stadium.
FC Platinum, however, remained on top, tied on 40 points with Motor Action. The miners have a tricky game in hand against Highlanders.
