MANICA Diamonds coach Jairosi Tapera has warned Premier Soccer League rivals that his team is now polished to clinch the title next season.
The Manicaland-based side exceeded expectations last season by finishing runners-up to Ngezi Platinum Stars who won their first championship.
Tapera believes that his side will mount a serious challenge to win the Premier League title in the league campaign expected to kick off in March.
“It’s not a secret that we want the league title,” Tapera declared.
“If teams that finished outside the top four are talking about winning the title, what about us who finished second? It’s (winning the title) something that we have to do. We need to perform better and do the best that we can do to improve from what we did last season. That is our objective, to move a step better.”
To make sure that they achieve their season’s objective, Manica Diamonds have fortified their squad by making exciting additions to the team while letting go of some old horses.
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Tapera revealed that they have signed ZPC Kariba forward Moses Demera who finished as the Golden Boot runner-up last season with 12 goals.
They have also added Enock Karembo from Triangle, while Dynamos’ Issa Sadiki is also expected to join them.
The skillful winger, who spent two seasons at the Harare giants on loan from Yadah, reportedly agreed terms with Manica Diamonds last month and is expected to join when the team regroups for pre-season tomorrow.
But his move has been mired in confusion, with reports suggesting that his parent club, Yadah want him to continue at Dynamos where he has a chance to play in the Caf Confederation Cup this year.
It is also understood that Manica Diamonds agreed terms with two Sheasham players, but the move has stalled.
“We had agreed on everything only to hear that they have running contracts. We are trying to find out more and see how we can go around the issue,” Tapera said.
To make way for the new arrivals, the club released goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo, midfielders Donald Ngoma, Ralph Kawondera and Timire Mamvura, with the later announcing his retirement from football yesterday.
“We released them not because they are nolonger capable, but it’s because of their ages. They are all above 35 years old,” Tapera said.
He added: “We didn’t want to make too many changes to the squad that did well last season. We have kept the core of the team because we believe in continuity.”
He also rubbished claims that club’s star midfielder Trevor Mavhunga was on his way back to Dynamos.
“I’m with him on our way to Mutare as we speak. Those reports are not true, he is still part of us and an important part of the group,” the former Triangle coach said.
Manica Diamonds are scheduled to begin their preseason preparations this morning ahead of the league’s kickoff which is expected at the end of February.