The Sunday Mail
FC Platinum coach Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa has divided opinion at the Zvishavane-based outfit.
A majority of the team’s executive members as well as the clubs fans have lost faith in the coach but their moves to have Mutasa fired are being strongly resisted by club president George Mawere.
The flamboyant club last week held their half season review meeting where Mutasa’s future, a subject of speculation for a while, was top of the agenda.
Although club spokesperson Chido Chizondo emerged from the meeting claiming unanimous confidence in the coach, sources within the club’s hierarchy said Mawere had to force his will on an executive that has lost confidence in the former Warriors assistant coach.
“The Mutasa issue has really divided management, the rest of the executive has made it clear that he has to be redeployed if we are to meet our targets, but the president (Mawere) does not share the same opinion.
“He (Mawere) is so adamant that the coach is going nowhere to an extent that he has suggested that the executive resigns as well arguing that ‘we must fail as a team’.
“Most of us have proposed that we appoint an interim coach, possibly Ralph (Kawondera) while we try and convince Tenant (Chilumba) to come back,” said an official who declined to be named.
Mutasa’s charges are eighth on the standings with 21points, nine less than log leading Highlanders going into the second round of fixtures starting with a tricky tie against bitter rivals Shabanie Mine this afternoon. A loss this afternoon could further compound the legendary Dynamos midfielder’s situation on the back of last week’s One Wallet Cup defeat to Chicken Inn.
But Mutasa remains defiant saying he stands guided by the official position coming from the club.
“We are focused on the match against Shabanie and nothing more.
“The club has spoken its official position and for us that’s the most important thing and the boys are hard at training knowing that we have the support of the authorities who obviously want an improvement in our fortunes,” said Mutasa.
While he battles to elongate his stay at the club, Mutasa also will be watching closely negotiations between the club and goalkeeper Petros Mhari who is refusing to ink a new deal.
The net minder’s situation has alerted a number of premiership clubs among them defending champions Dynamos who are on the lookout for a George Chigova replacement.
On the other hand a bullish Shabanie Mine coach John Phiri has vowed to pile more misery on his cross town rivals at Maglas.
“We don’t care about what is happening in their camp, we are only worried with making sure we emerge from this fixture with three points.
“The best gift we can give to everyone associated with Shabanie Mine is a win over FC Platinum and we are doing everything to win this tie.
“My only prayer is that match officials will be up to the task and fair so that the better team of the day wins, and that team can only be us because I know they are afraid of us as we speak,” said Phiri.
