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Chaminuka gets three-match ultimatum

Sport
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League side Buffaloes gaffer Saul Chaminuka and his assistants have been given a three- match ultimatum to collect six points

CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League side Buffaloes gaffer Saul Chaminuka and his assistants have been given a three- match ultimatum to collect six points or face the sack.

REPORT BY KENNETH NYANGANI

First assistant Shadreck Magurasave and second assistant Timothy Masachi are also in the line of fire.

The decision was made on Wednesday during a meeting aimed at halting the army side’s current poor form that has seen them collecting just a point from a possible 15.

Last Sunday, they were humiliated at home against Shabanie Mine, losing the match 3-1 and travel to Triangle tomorrow. The soldiers are currently lying in eighth position with 16 points from 12 matches.

Buffaloes spokesperson Tendai Chitowa said the game of football is based on results.

“We have decided to give our entire technical department a three-match ultimatum and they should collect a total of six points from the matches. We have not been doing well of late. The game of football is based on results,” he said.

“Performance of coaches is based on results. We looked at various issues before we came up with this decision. The players are being looked after very well and almost 90% of our side is employed and they receive their salaries and winning bonuses,” added Chitowa.

“We don’t want to go back to Division One because we are the only Premiership team in Manicaland so we want to preserve that spot.”

Chitowa also added that he still had confidence in the coaches and believes that they will make it.

The battle for survival will start this weekend when they take equally troubled Triangle at Gibbo Stadium tomorrow before they return home to take on league champions Dynamos.

The Tripple B match in Beitbridge will be the last encounter to determine the fate of the coaches.

Last year Chaminuka failed to pass the same test after he was given a three-match ultimatum to collect seven points as he collected six, but the executive gave him the benefit of doubt.

The former Masvingo United gaffer went on to lead the team to a respectable sixth position at the end of the year. He also helped the army side into the Mbada Diamonds Cup quarterfinals where they lost to Caps United.

After 12 rounds of the season, only one coach Nesbert Saruchera of Black Rhinos has been fired, while Nation Dube of Hwange and Chicken Inn’s Mandla Mpofu passed their ultimatums with flying colours after collecting seven and six points respectively from three games.