Returning Chinyemba out to ensure survival
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday February 24, 2024 06:00
Despite some recent setbacks, Chinyemba remains focused on the team's objectives.
He had previously guided The Eagles to their first Premier League promotion but was demoted to the development structures due to a lack of coaching qualifications. Matebele roped in Jacobs at the beginning of the season and the Namibian coach left early in the year to join Orlando Pirates in the Namibian elite league.
Under Jacobs, Matebele had a good start in their Premier League debut, collecting 18 points in 12 games and sitting sixth on the log.
However, since Chinyemba's return, the team has faced challenges, including a 1-0 loss to TAFIC and a 1-0 win against Matjimenyenga. A 1-1 draw against Nico United followed before the coach suffered another defeat, a 1-0 loss to Security Systems. Matebele were eliminated from the Orange FA Cup with a 3-0 loss to VTM FC. Despite the recent form, Chinyemba remains unfazed.
"Nothing has changed when (as of when) we sat down with the management at the beginning of the season. We are trying to protect our status; every point counts. We are trying to fight for every point in the league so that by the end of the league, we take stock and look where we are. The mandate is definitely to try to keep our status in the league," he said. Chinyemba is, however, said to be a frontrunner for the TAFIC head coach role despite recently committing to The Eagles. Matebele have dropped to seventh place on the log with 22 points, just seven points above the relegation zone as the chasing pack is catching up.
The team will take on Masitaoka in a Botswana Premier League (BPL) match to be played at the Dinaledi Academy Stadium on Sunday. The Eagles beat their weekend's opponent 4-1 in the first round. Majatlhaga have a single win in the last five games and conceded 11 times while finding the back of the net on seven occasions. Masitaoka are just four points behind Matebele in the ninth position and a win could take them inside the top half, promising an exciting tie at the Dinaledi Academy Stadium. In other games on Saturday afternoon, Township Rollers travel to Palapye Stadium to take on Morupule Wanderers.
Nico United is home to Orapa United at the Sam Sono Stadium while Police XI and Eleven Angels clash at the Lobatse Sports Complex. On Sunday, Holy Ghost welcome Sua Flamingoes at the Lobatse Sports Complex while TAFIC host VTM FC at the Francistown Council Stadium. Defending champions and log leaders, Jwaneng Galaxy, and BDF XI have a weekend off due to Galaxy's CAF Champions League commitments. All the BPL games will kick off at 4:30pm.