By Onny Gangata
A disgraceful Jairos Tapera led his Manica Diamonds technical department and substitute players off the pitch moments before the final whistle after suffering a 2-0 loss to Sheasham at Bata stadium.
The veteran gaffer ordered his players to go to the dressing room, five minutes before the end of the match.
This was in protest of what the Mutare based side viewed as unfair officiating by referee Jimmy Makwanda.
Makwanda had earlier awarded a penalty to Sheasham after Liberty Masveure was brought down inside the box in the 54th minute.
Hillary Bakacheza converted the spot kick to give the hosts the lead before Leonard Jani doubled Sheasham’s advantage seven minutes later.
Soon after the construction boys’ second goal, Manica Diamonds assistant coach Patrick Mandizha was sent off.
The entire Manica Diamonds bench became apprehensive with Tapera apoplectic on the touch line.
“If anything that incident should not be singled out… We do a lot in terms of protecting the Manica Diamonds brand, as a team, the technical department and players,” assistant coach Tafadzwa Mashiri said after the match.
Asked on the match officiating, Mashiri said, “I can’t comment on that one, I am not qualified to do so.”
The loss dents the gem boys’ chances of catching up with leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars, as they remain second on the log, seven points behind Ngezi who are on 57.
Manica however, will have themselves to blame after they failed to punish Sheasham in the early stages of the match.
“We should have wrapped up the match in the first half when we created a lot of chances that we failed to bury,” Mashiri admitted.
For Sheasham, the victory was a huge leap in their quest for survival as it lifts them out of the relegation zone to 13th position with 34 points.
But Sheasham coach Lizwe Sweswe is not getting carried away as he feels there is still a lot of work to do.
“It is still work in progress, these are our last five games which will determine our final position. The zeal and confidence is now there,” he said.
