Rhinos coach Jostein Mathuthu mocks ZPC Kariba

Sport
VETERAN coach Jostein Mathuthu has described his acrimonious departure from ZPC Kariba as “football funnies” and declared that his new club Black Rhinos would not be relegated.

VETERAN coach Jostein Mathuthu has described his acrimonious departure from ZPC Kariba as “football funnies” and declared that his new club Black Rhinos would not be relegated.

BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

Mathuthu helped ZPC Kariba earn Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotion last season and brought top-flight football to Kariba for the first time ever.

However, Mathuthu was dismissed under unclear circumstances in January with Saul Chaminuka taking over. Assertions that the coach may not have adequate coaching qualifications have turned to be untrue.

Without stating what exactly transpired leading to his departure, the former CAPS United gaffer described as comical the decision taken by ZPC Kariba bosses.

“They are called football funnies,” said Mathuthu. “People decide otherwise and you suddenly become a victim despite the hard work you may have invested. I guess it was the will of God and I had to abide by what he had planned for me. Now here I am and I have no regrets. I look at it as a blessing in disguise.

“Whatever happens in life to anybody occurs for a reason and if you do not realise it, you will start complaining.”

While his successor at ZPC Kariba is enjoying a more-than decent run, Mathuthu faces a huge task of saving Rhinos from demotion after assuming the reins from sacked Arthur Tutani last month. Recording an impressive run in his three matches in charge that include avoiding defeat by Dynamos as well as humbling Highlanders, Mathuthu has vowed to ensure Rhinos will be in the top-flight league next season.

Last Wednesday’s win over Bosso saw the soldiers vacating the relegation zone although they are not yet safe from the chop.

“Definitely we will survive relegation,” he said. “We are still down there and it is not a comfortable position. From the few games I have been in charge of, at least there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is life in the team.”

Inheriting a struggling squad, Mathuthu sounds unperturbed by the big task of avoiding relegation.

“I am used to fighting relegation. If you follow the trend in my coaching career, there is a trademark that either I am fighting for promotion into the PSL or trying to get a team out of relegation zone. This situation is not new to me but it is not easy though and I pray that things go well,” he said.

He has roped in former players Gift Kamuriwo and Britto Gwere into his technical team. The coach also brought back Blessing Sande from a loan spell at How Mine to plug in Phillip Marufu’s departure to Chapungu, while Wonder Kapinda has been handed the captain’s armband.

“You always have faith in your boys and I am happy they are doing well. They are psyched up. I like their determination. There are still a lot of games to come and we just need to keep our heads up and pick as many points as we can.”

With Kapinda playing the game of his life and Lot Chiunga springing back into life after a quiet first half of the league campaign, Rhinos appear to be on the mending course.