Zimpapers Logo

Paul Mundandi Zvishavane Sports Correspondent
SHABANIE Mine have demoted head coach Arnold Jani and replaced him with John Phiri following the asbestos miners’ humiliating defeat by FC Platinum Under-19 in a tense Central League match in Zvishavane on Sunday.

The former Premiership side were humbled 1-2 by bitter rivals FC Platinum’s development team before a capacity crowd.

Shabanie Mine vice-chairman Shepherd Makazhu said Jani would be Phiri’s assistant in the new set up.

“Phiri is going to be the head coach and Jani will assist him whilst we look for a goalkeepers’ coach. The changes are with immediate effect because we need positive results,” said Makazhu.

“Our aim is to get the team back into the Premiership by the end of the season and their performance at away games hasn’t been pleasing. We’re not taking anything away from Jani; it’s only that luck was eluding him. He did his best for Shabanie.”

He appealed to the restless Shabanie fans to rally behind Phiri and Jani to enable them to turn around the fortunes of the team.

Phiri, Makazhu said, once guided the asbestos miners to the Premiership and could probably have saved the team from relegation last season had football politics not come into play.

Makazhu said they had given Jani and his staff an ultimatum against ZRP Beitbridge, but did not act because they didn’t want to appear as if the supporters were pushing them.

“Our team was out of form completely and we weren’t happy with some players not reporting for duty. We’re not able to sustain them financially but we’re prepared to work hard to get something for them,” Makazhu said.

Jani was satisfied with the changes.

“I’m prepared to work under Phiri. I also need positive results for Shabanie but at times I wasn’t lucky and I’ll still remain loyal to the team and the coach,” said Jani.

The appointment of Phiri puts to rest rumours that had been swirling in the small mining town that Gerald Phiri, Phillip Sithole or former FC Platinum coach Tendai Chikuni would be thrust into the hot seat.

“Chikuni was also in our plans but we didn’t consider him as we wanted somebody with a proven track record. Phiri won the championship with Shabanie and Platinum and we felt Chikuni was still to earn his stripes,” said Makazhu.

FC Platinum Under-19 scored through striker Tinashe Makanda and exciting winger Immaculate “Gebb”Mawuna.

Shabanie got their face saver from a penalty that was converted by Erea Phiri.