The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
TONDERAI NDIRAYA has played against Highlanders nine times in the league since June 2016, when he landed his first substantive post as head coach.
But his 10th date with Bosso this afternoon has an interesting sub-plot as it could have a bearing on his future with his latest employers.
The former Zimbabwe youth international has an unpleasant record against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium, where he has won once since June 2016, when he was appointed Ngezi Platinum Stars coach.
Overall, Ndiraya has faced Bosso nine times in the Premier Soccer League and has won three, drawn two and lost four times.
His only win at Bosso’s fortress came on September 2, 2018, when Ngezi Platinum Stars emerged 2-1 victors.
The other two wins over Highlanders were at Baobab, when he was still in charge of the platinum miners.
Ndiraya failed to beat Highlanders during his recent stint at Dynamos, managing two draws and as many defeats.
Today, he strolls into Barbourfields as a “a dead man walking”.
There has been growing speculation over his future at Simba Bhora amid pressure from a section of the Shamva outfit’s supporters, who want him fired after losing his last three games.
Simba Bhora have two wins in eight matches and have failed to register maximum points in the last three rounds of the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
They arrive in Bulawayo on the back of two successive defeats by identical 1-0 margins to Green Fuel and Cranborne Bullets.
Some fans protested after the defeat to Bullets.
However, Ndiraya is taking the pressure and criticism in his stride.
“We are a newly promoted team with a mixture of players with different football backgrounds. It is our wish to quickly recover from the bad results we posted in the past two matches,’’ Ndiraya said.
“We have the potential to turn things around and gradually collect points as the season progresses. The season is still in its infancy and it is important to be patient and give the team time to develop and consistently become competitive.
“The team will play Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday (today) and some of our players will play at Barbourfields for the first time in their careers, and they are looking forward to that experience.
“Given this background, it is important for our stakeholders to avoid exerting unnecessary pressure on the team and give some of the players space to develop and experience the PSL’s difficult terrain.”
To their credit, the Simba Bhora executive, led by former Dynamos chairperson Isaiah Mupfurutsa, appear not to be trigger happy.
After all, Simba Bhora do not boast any Premiership experience to be pressing the panic button at the moment.
According to the club’s management, there is no ultimatum for Ndiraya, at least for now.
“We are not giving him an ultimatum as yet; we are actually rallying behind him as of now,” said club spokesperson Charles Nyatsine.
“The supporters did what they did out of anger. It happens elsewhere, even at Dynamos and at Manchester United . . .But we are really behind Ndiraya.”
But there are some within the club who feel the team has punched below its weight, especially given the personnel at the club.
“Matches won’t be easy but we will continue to work hard at training and compete,” said Ndiraya.
“We will improve and even be more competitive when we go back to our home in Shamva.
“We are grateful for the support that we are getting from our club president, Mr Simba Ndoro, and his management team . . . and all our other stakeholders and supporters. Together we can.”
The enormity of the task at hand, playing against an in-form Highlanders side, is not lost on the young gaffer.
“We are expecting a very tough match from a team which is in top form. We hope to compete and make the afternoon exciting.”
Although Simba Bhora might be new in the Premiership, most of their players are veterans of the top-flight division.
Players like Partson Jaure, Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, Valentine Musarurwa and Blessing “Bisto” Moyo even won Premiership championship medals.
Former Warriors flying winger Talent Chawapiwa, ex-CAPS United and Dynamos keeper Simba Chinani and defensive linkman Tichaona Chipunza — formerly with DeMbare and Chicken Inn — are also part of the squad.
Impressive centre-back Webster Tafa is a former CAPS United player, while Ali Sadiki and striker Tinashe Balakasi similarly have Premiership experience.
However, Simba Bhora are in for a tough afternoon against pacesetters Highlanders, who have 15 points from eight matches.
Bosso have seven clean sheets and are unbeaten in the 2023 campaign.
Their expatriate coach, Brito, is happy with his defence, which is marshalled by a rejuvenated Peter Muduhwa.
“Everyone is talking about goals being few. Last season, you were criticising us based on statistics that we had one of the worst defences in the country.
“We told you we will improve and with the same players, we have conceded once,” said Brito.
The Brazilian will now be hoping that his strikers find their range with more regularity if Highlanders are to ward off pressure from the chasing pack.
PANEL
Tonderai Ndiraya’s record against Highlanders
September 25, 2016 — Highlanders 2-1 Ngezi Platinum Stars (L)
April 4, 2017 — Highlanders 1-0 Ngezi Platinum Stars (L)
August 26, 2017 — Ngezi Platinum Stars 3-0 Highlanders (W)
April 28, 2018 — Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 Highlanders (W)
September 2, 2018 — Highlanders 1-2 Ngezi Platinum Stars (W)
June 16, 2019 — Highlanders 1-0 Dynamos (L)
November 3, 2019 — Dynamos 1-1 Highlanders (D)
May 15, 2022 — Highlanders 3-0 Dynamos (L)
October 30, 2022 — Dynamos 0-0 Highlanders (D)
