Bosso form gives Masomere sleepless nights

LUKE MASOMERE is having sleepless nights in the resort town of Kariba as he braces for his toughest task since returning to the Premiership dugout.

Masomere, a veteran gaffer who coached Hwange, Masvingo United, Dynamos and Shabanie Mine before taking a sabbatical from the top flight, resurfaced at ZPC Kariba on June 30, with a huge task of stabilising a then troubled side.

He has been in charge of five matches and has won three, drew one and lost as many.

Vahombe has collected 10 points out of a possible 15 and ZPC Kariba have risen from the relegation zone to 10th position on the log, going into the second half of the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Masomere admits he has done fairly well thus far, but the experienced coach is well aware the arrival of log leaders Highlanders in Kariba on Saturday poses a serious threat to his team's revival.

ZPC Kariba host unbeaten Bosso at Nyamhunga and the build up to this clash has been giving Masomere some sleepless nights.

Masomere has played against Yadah, Hwange, Sheasham, Simba Bhora and Cranborne Bullets since taking over from Newsome Mutema but Highlanders will invade Kariba carrying a bullish record.

Brito's men are unbeaten in 17 matches and they are the only team with that record in the league so far.

Last weekend they edged title contenders Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 in their own backyard, to open a seven-point gap at the top.

Highlanders have conceded only four times in 17 matches and go into Saturday's match carrying a six-match winning run.

"I have not been sleeping very well because on Saturday I am playing the best team in the league at the moment," Masomere said.

"I have watched Highlanders twice this season and I have noticed that they are very solid. They attack as a team and defend as a team.

"If they score first, even inside the opening 30 seconds, they are done. They will protect that lead because their style is one of the best."

But, Masomere has a tradition of upsetting big teams from his days at Masvingo United and Shabanie Mine.

Against all odds, he won the BancABC Super 8 Cup with Shabanie Mine in 2014. Masomere won the championship with AmaZulu in 2003 before he quit in 2004 and was replaced by Eddie May and Cosmas "Tsano'' Zulu

He came within just a game to win the league title with Masvingo United back in 2005.

Masomere has so far done well in his bid to restore calmness at ZPC Kariba.

Kauya Katuruturu have beaten Yadah, Simba Bhora and Cranborne Bullets as well as a draw against Sheasham plus a loss away at Hwange, since Masomere took over.

"I am happy here in Kariba, yes the weather is a bit tricky but I am adjusting. The good thing is that we are still in winter and it's not too hot.

"But, remember I experienced that same weather conditions when I was still at Hwange," says Masomere.

"So far so good, we are doing quite well but we should not be complacent.

"We need to keep our foot on the pedal because we don't want to be relegated come the end of the season."

ZPC Kariba are 10th on the table with 21 points and just four above the drop zone.

Sheasham, Yadah, Cranborne Bullets and Black Rhinos are in the bottom four going into the second half of the season.

"It's still game on, we have to keep pushing," acknowledges Masomere.

"We have to do our best against Highlanders and avoid defeat. This is a competition; no coach plans to get a negative result.

"We know Highlanders are really good but It's a game of football which can go either way," he said.

Barring some last minute injuries, ZPC Kariba can bank on the experience of defenders Boid Mutukure and Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye while upfront Kudzanai Dhemere and Leeroy Murape could be a handful for Highlanders.