FC Platinum interim coach Tendai Chikuni lives to see another day at the helm of the flamboyant Zvishavane Premier Soccer League side despite an erratic show since he took over from Rahman Gumbo in July.
Ever since Chikuni took over the reins when the team was in second position, Platinum have managed eight points from seven matches, which translates into an average of one point per game after two wins, three losses and three draws.
The inconsistent results have seen the team, which at the start of the season had strong title ambitions, lose grip of the championship chase, dropping to seventh position on the log, 14 points adrift of pacesetters Highlanders.
This has drawn the anger of a section of Platinum supporters who have called for the immediate roping-in of a substantive coach to replace Chikuni.
Recent defeats at the hands of Monomotapa at home and away to Dynamos have mounted Chikuni’s woes and the calls for his replacement have become even louder from the supporters. But despite the results, the Platinum board has remained adamant and will stick to Chikuni, “at least for the meantime,” until a substantive coach has been secured.
Club spokesperson Philemon Muvengwa told NewsDay Sport yesterday that Chikuni would remain in charge of the team on an interim basis while the executive “undergoes a long and winding process of securing a substantive coach”.
“Our position has not changed from the start.
Chikuni remains as the interim head coach until such a time when we have secured the services of a substantive coach. The process of securing a substantive coach is long and winding and involves a lot of things, but for now it is Chikuni who will be in charge.
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“Obviously, the results have not been impressive and naturally we are not happy, but like I said our position remains the same and we are behind Chikuni and the entire team. Come Saturday (tomorrow) at Mandava he will be doing duty with the boys,” said Muvengwa.
His statement suggested that it may not be soon that a substantive coach is secured and with 11 games to go, Chikuni might finish the season in charge.
A number of local coaches have been tipped for the coveted Platinum job with Moses Chunga and Norman Mapeza’s names featuring prominently in the debate, although it is highly unlikely that either of the two will be hired.
“There are no names yet that have been thrown into the hat. We are still doing some ground work and like I said the process is long and winding. For now, the position is that Chikuni is the interim coach and it remains like that until further notice,” Muvengwa said.
