Manica Diamonds have rolled the dice in their desperate fight against relegation after appointing Herbert Maruwa as their new head coach following sweeping changes at the club.
The Mutare-based side recently underwent a major shake up in ownership and executive leadership, with new club officials taking charge as the Gem Boys look to rescue a season that has been slipping away.
Maruwa's appointment which had become the topic in the football fraternity, coach arrives at Sakubva carrying baggage from his recent spell at TelOne FC, where he was shown the exit door after a disappointing run of results left the WiFi Boys flirting with relegation.
Ironically, the man deemed unable to lift TelOne out of trouble has now been handed the responsibility of saving another struggling club from the drop.
Manica Diamonds currently sit in 17th place on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table, just above basement side Triangle United and behind TelOne. With every point now carrying massive importance, Maruwa walks into a pressure cooker where there is little room for mistakes.
His first assignment could hardly be tougher.
The new coach begins his reign against Scottland FC, a team packed with quality, experience and match winners. Scottland have established themselves as one of the most feared sides in the league, making Maruwa's debut a baptism of fire.
Related Stories
For Manica Diamonds supporters, however, hope remains alive. Many believe the coach deserves time to stamp his authority on the team before being judged. The feeling among sections of the fan base is that Maruwa inherited a squad he did not build and should be given a fair opportunity to implement his ideas.
"Even if he lose in his first game, we will support him because he is just taking over to on the players whoom he didn't signed" said Sakhu Takudzwa.
The club's new leadership is banking on fresh energy, fresh investment and a fresh voice in the dressing room to spark a turnaround. But football can be cruel, and good intentions alone will not be enough to pull the Gem Boys away from danger.
"He only need our support, he will easily save us from being relegated " said another supporter on Facebook
Now the relegation battle heating up and the pressure mounting every week, Maruwa faces the biggest challenge of his season.
His mission is simple but daunting, revive Manica Diamonds, collect crucial points and prove that TelOne made a mistake by letting him go.
Therefore the coming weeks will reveal whether the gamble pays off or whether the Gem Boys' survival hopes continue to fade.
Leave Comments