NGEZI Platinum’s new coach Tonderai Ndiraya has revealed that the club’s mini revival so far has been built on improvement of both physical and mental strength among the players, which has been complemented by technical aspects they have enhanced.
BY HENRY MHARA
The Mhondoro-based side’s main thrust is surviving relegation in their maiden Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, but admit that if things continue looking up, they may change their targets.
Madamburo have had a remarkable turnaround of fortunes under Ndiraya, winning four of their last five matches since the former Dynamos coach took over, and drawing the other.
No team has a better record over the last five matches.
The tremendous improvement has seen them rising from being relegation candidates to outside title challengers.
While winning the league title is a distant and unlikely target, with log leaders Highlanders nine points ahead with a game in hand, there is little doubt that the relegation fears that were hovering above the club in the first few weeks of the season have since been banished, and stability established.
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“It all goes down to hard work, the players have been working hard, their fitness levels are improving and that has helped a lot. I noticed when I came in that their fitness levels were very low and we had to work on that and the process is still ongoing.” Ndiraya said.
“We also worked on their mentality. We spoke to them at length and instilled that belief that they can beat anyone. They are getting stronger and the underdog tag is surely coming off and the other teams are beginning to notice.
“Our thrust at the moment is to survive relegation and I’m sure we are moving in the right direction. We will see as the season progresses if we need to revise our target, but at the moment the objective is to avoid relegation.”
One area in the team that has seen a marked improvement since Ndiraya’s arrival is the defence, which has conceded just two goals in the five games. They had previously shipped in 14 goals in 10 matches.
“The team was quite porous at the back, so we had to work ways of plugging goals and we have done well so far. We are in the process of improving other areas,” Ndiraya said.
Ngezi Platinum could move into fifth position if they win their reverse fixture against Triangle away after the mid-season break, following a 3-1 win against the same team last weekend.
Ndiraya took over at Ngezi Platinum on June 17, replacing Clifton Kadurira, who was downgraded to the assistant role.
It was not easy for most Ngezi Platinum supporters to accept the demotion of Kadurira, who is almost worshipped for all the glory he brought to the small mining town.
