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Paul Mundandi Midlands Correspondent
JAIROS Tapera has defended his decision to join Shabanie Mine this week saying better things were in store for the asbestos miners if all parties work together.“I have been in such a scenario before when I saved Chapungu from relegation in 2000, when I was technical advisor to Chogugudza (Innocent).  I have also been head coach at ZPC Hwange, Tongogara and was also technical advisor to Droment (Chirova) at Black Rhinos.

“I just want people to give me a chance because being given eight years at the helm of the Under-20 team is not a joke. I am surprised when kids who only came to know football some months ago say I do not have experience in the Premiership,” said Tapera.

Tapera joined Shabanie on Tuesday after his paymasters FC Platinum agreed to release him.

A number of fans were furious  after they learnt that the coach had been seconded to gain experience at Shabanie. They even went on to accuse their neighbours for taking them as a training ground  following the statement which was issued .

“We engaged Tapera to assist Phiri in saving the team from relegation. We were not struggling from paying our coach his salary or even the players. We have actually increased the bonuses of our players because we want our team to survive relegation. Tapera is a coach and I am not aware on the secondment issue to gain experience at Shabanie because we know he is experienced,” said Pithius Shoko, Shabanie Mine secretary.

Tapera was appointed developmental manager by the Nathan Shoko-led administration after he guided FC Platinum into the Premiership in 2011.

The coming of Tapera will be a big opportunity for his hometown team and he has already won the hearts of Shabanie Mine fans that already see him as their saviour.

Meanwhile Chief Mapanzure of Zvishavane has applauded sponsors of the One Wallet Cup and the PSL for bringing the semi-finals to the rich mining town.

The $500,000 NetOne Wallet Cup  semi-finals will pit the Gamecocks against Triangle at Mandava tomorrow before  Dynamos lock horns with How Mine the following day (Sunday) to decide the finalists.

“I am excited by the decision by the sponsors and PSL. Our mining town is now on the map and it’s good to see champions Dynamos coming to play in the mining town on three occasions. We are thrilled and I am urging the people of Zvishavane to come out in big numbers and support the visiting teams this weekend.

“We have one of the best stadia in the country in Zvishavane which was refurbished by Mimosa. I would like to thank Shoko (Nathan) and his executive for coming up with the brilliant idea. I am now challenging the current executive to finish the work on the stadium and also to install floodlights.

“We need many games even international matches to be staged here as well. My appeal is for fans to desist from any acts of violence because Zvishavane is a peace loving community which is however crazy about the world’s most beautiful game-soccer,” he said.