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NewsDay

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ZPC Kariba back beleagured Chidzambwa

Sport
PREMIERSHIP football side ZPC Kariba have come out in defence of Sunday Chidzambwa and say they do not regret ever hiring the beleaguered coach who is struggling to turn around the fortunes of the club.

PREMIERSHIP football side ZPC Kariba have come out in defence of Sunday Chidzambwa and say they do not regret ever hiring the beleaguered coach who is struggling to turn around the fortunes of the club.

BY HENRY MHARA

The former Warriors coach joined Kariba two months ago, but has failed to make the expected impact.

Chidzambwa is roundly regarded as the country’s most successful coach after taking Dynamos to their only Caf Champions League final in 1998 and the Warriors to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2004.

“We have no regrets over hiring Sunday Chidzambwa as the ZPC Kariba FC coach and we have hope that he will do his best to deliver,” ZPC public relations executive Fadzai Chisveto said.

The former Warriors coach has presided over four matches so far which has yielded just one point.

He lost twice against Triangle including the 2-1 defeat at home last weekend, and also against Tsholotsho, and played to a goalless draw against the same side.

ZPC Kariba, who came agonisingly close to winning the league title in their debut season last year, is winless in the last seven matches, drawing two and losing five.

Alarm bells are ringing loud in Kariba and surrounding areas with critics arguing that ZPC Kariba made a huge gaffe in plucking Chidzambwa from the wilderness following a ban for his alleged involvement in the Asiagate match-fixing scandal.

They say Chidzambwa has lost touch with local football in the time he was in the boondocks.

The club, however, believes Chidzambwa is the right man for the job.

Chisveto was previously quoted by the media on the day they unveiled Chidzambwa saying the club want a top-five finish at the end the season.

She appears to be backtracking on her statements.

“I am not sure where this assumed target is coming from, but what we want is to remain in the Premier Soccer League. The coach has identified the players he wants on his team and he has our full support. We are currently doing the paperwork to ensure the team is well equipped,” Chisveto said.

ZPC Kariba is currently on 11th position with 16 points and staring relegation.

They have the same number of points as Buffaloes who sit at the relegation cut-off point.

“This scenario has proved to be a wake-up call for the team. They have resolved to pull up their socks and we are expecting some positive results in the coming matches,” she said.

Kariba’s next league match is a tough one away to league champions Dynamos. The reverse encounter ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Meanwhile, Premiership action takes a break this weekend to pave way for the Commander ZNA Charities match between Dynamos and Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

The Young Warriors are also travelling to South Africa for an African Championship qualifier this weekend.